By Keel H.R. No. 811 76R13001 MDM-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to 1-2 congratulate the Westlake High School Concert Band on its selection 1-3 as a recipient of the 1998 Sudler Flag of Honor, an international 1-4 award given by the John Philip Sousa Foundation for outstanding 1-5 musical excellence; and 1-6 WHEREAS, The Flag of Honor program identifies and recognizes 1-7 exceptional high school concert band programs and, during the 17 1-8 years of the award's existence, the foundation has honored only 39 1-9 bands in the United States and Canada; this year, Westlake High 1-10 School is one of only two high school concert bands, both from 1-11 Texas, to be awarded this prestigious honor; and 1-12 WHEREAS, The Westlake High School Concert Band was eligible 1-13 for this distinction based on several factors: the school has 1-14 maintained a quality concert band for many years; the conductor, 1-15 Kerry Taylor, has served in that capacity for at least the previous 1-16 seven consecutive years, including the year of the award, and has 1-17 been active in professional band education organizations at the 1-18 local, state, and national levels; and the program includes a 1-19 marching band, small ensembles, and solo participation by members 1-20 in contest-festival opportunities; and 1-21 WHEREAS, The Westlake High School Concert Band will be 1-22 accorded this rare honor during a May 14, 1999, performance at the 1-23 school auditorium; the presentation will be made by Gladys Stone 1-24 Wright, who is chair of the Sudler Flag Project and vice president 2-1 and member of the executive committee of the Sousa Foundation, as 2-2 well as a member of the American Bandmasters Association and 2-3 founding president of the Women Band Directors International 2-4 Association; and 2-5 WHEREAS, In addition to the band's receipt of the red, white, 2-6 and blue four-foot by six-foot Flag of Honor, its conductor will be 2-7 given a personal plaque, and personalized diplomas will be 2-8 presented to each student in the band; and 2-9 WHEREAS, The members of the Westlake High School Concert Band 2-10 and their conductor have exemplified the qualities of commitment 2-11 and perseverance in their pursuit of their musical education, and 2-12 they are indeed deserving of special recognition at this time; now, 2-13 therefore, be it 2-14 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-15 Legislature hereby congratulate the members of the Westlake High 2-16 School Concert Band and Kerry Taylor on their receipt of the Sudler 2-17 Flag of Honor award for 1998 and extend to them sincere best wishes 2-18 for continued success; and, be it further 2-19 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-20 prepared for prominent display at Westlake High School as an 2-21 expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.