79R15939 MAM-D

By:  Hopson                                                       H.R. No. 1619



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The city of Carthage has played a significant role 
in the history of country music, and its citizens have worked 
tirelessly to preserve this strong heritage; and
	WHEREAS, Many country music legends were raised in Carthage, 
including Tex Ritter, the first country singer to have three hits on 
the Billboard Top Ten at the same time and the star of more than 70 
Western movies, internationally known country music performer Jim 
Reeves, songwriter Glenn Sutton, and Linda Davis, who tours with 
Reba McIntyre and Kenny Rogers; and
	WHEREAS, In 1993, the self-proclaimed Country Music Capital 
of Texas opened the Tex Ritter Museum on the top floor of a building 
that houses the chamber of commerce, and fans from across the globe 
traveled to see the 3,000-square-foot memorial to a music legend; 
and
	WHEREAS, Several years later, residents and organizers 
decided to expand the museum and opened the Texas Country Music Hall 
of Fame to honor the many legends with connections to Tex Ritter and 
the Lone Star State; in 2002, the city celebrated the grand opening 
of a $2.5 million facility to house the museum's tributes to artists 
such as Gene Autry, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Kris 
Kristofferson; and
	WHEREAS, Each year, in late summer, the city hosts a weekend 
of country music entertainment, including a hall of fame induction 
ceremony, showcase performance, and Tex Ritter Roundup; the 2005 
inductees into the hall of fame include Jimmy Dean, Roger Miller, 
Johnny Gimble, and Glenn Sutton; and
	WHEREAS, Preserving the cultural and artistic heritage of the 
State of Texas depends on the dedication of its residents, and the 
citizens of Carthage set an exceptional standard with their 
commitment to showcasing the many achievements of our homegrown 
country music legends; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby honor the city of Carthage for its contributions 
to country music and extend to all its residents sincere best wishes 
for continued success in preserving their rich heritage.