R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to join
 1-2     with the citizens of Texas in commemorating the accomplishments of
 1-3     the Great Texas Balloon Race  Event; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Held on the grounds of the Gregg County Airport, the
 1-5     Great Texas Balloon Race Event was created in 1978 by
 1-6     world-record-holding hot air balloon pilot Dr. Bill Bussey, D.D.S.,
 1-7     and Longview Mall managers Frankie Parson Riggins and Mary
 1-8     Le Tourneau as a promotional event to mark the grand opening of
 1-9     Longview Mall; it has changed locations to accommodate the large
1-10     number of spectators attending a weekend full of outstanding
1-11     festivities; and
1-12           WHEREAS, Through their participation, balloon pilots compete
1-13     for the Texas State Championship and begin a yearlong quest for the
1-14     title of National, World, and North American Hot Air Balloon
1-15     Champion; in 1985 Governor Mark White designated Longview as the
1-16     Balloon Capital of Texas; and
1-17           WHEREAS, The highlight of the weekend, the famous "balloon
1-18     glow," occurs at sunset on Friday and Saturday evenings, and this
1-19     breathtaking sight is created by firing the burner of the balloon
1-20     to illuminate the balloon while it is tethered; this unique
1-21     tradition began two years after the first race and was created with
1-22     the support of Dr. Bill Bussey; and
1-23           WHEREAS, In 1990, with the courage and vision of Gordon
1-24     Lively, Sr., Gordon Lively, Jr., of Lively Olds-Cadillac-GMC, and
 2-1     Bill Stoudt, the race was moved to the Gregg County Airport just
 2-2     south of Longview, where it still takes place today; and
 2-3           WHEREAS, The Great Texas Balloon Race Event features more
 2-4     than 80 sport and specially shaped hot air balloons, providing
 2-5     countless hours of fun and entertainment for appreciative crowds;
 2-6     now, therefore, be it
 2-7           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
 2-8     Legislature hereby commemorate the Great Texas Balloon Race Event
 2-9     and extend best wishes to the organizers, participants, and
2-10     spectators of the event for a most enjoyable weekend.
                                                                     Merritt
                                             _______________________________
                                                   Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.R. No. 1224 was adopted by the House on May
         31, 1999, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House