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.