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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 61



	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to 

recognize Alan Birkelbach of Plano, who was recently named the 

2005 Texas Poet Laureate; and

	WHEREAS, The Texas Poet Laureate, State Musician, and 

State Artist Committee, whose members are appointed by the 

governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the Texas House

of Representatives, select the poet laureate from a list of 

finalists submitted by the Texas Commission on the Arts; and

	WHEREAS, Alan has received widespread recognition and 

critical acclaim in state, regional, and national publications 

for his poetry, which superbly captures the beauty of the Texas 

land and the experiences of its people; and

	WHEREAS, His poetry has been published in a number of 

anthologies, including Texas in Poetry 2; his books of poetry 

include No Boundaries, which won the Pat Stodghill Book 

Publication Award, and Weighed in the Balances, which was the 

grand prize winner of the National Federation of State Poetry 

Societies' Stevens Poetry Manuscript Competition; and

	WHEREAS, Alan was born and grew up in Georgetown and is a 

graduate of North Texas State College; he wrote his first poem at 

the age of 12; his poetry is personal and focuses on everyday 

experiences and life's challenges; he writes with a distinctive 

Texas voice and has served on the board of directors of the Poetry 

Society of Texas for over 10 years; now, therefore, be it

	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,

79th Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby commend

Alan Birkelbach on his exceptional poetry and his many 

contributions to the vibrant cultural life of the Lone Star State 

and congratulate him on his selection as the 2005 Texas Poet 

Laureate; and, be it further

	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 

him as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.

                                                                         Shapiro









________________________________ 

    President of the Senate

 

    I hereby certify that the 

above Resolution was adopted by 

the Senate on August 8, 2005.







________________________________ 

    Secretary of the Senate







________________________________ 

     Member, Texas Senate