H.R. No. 149
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, The City of Laredo is celebrating the life of one of
  this nation's most revered leaders when it hosts the 112th
  Washington's Birthday Celebration from January 22 to February 22,
  2009; and
         WHEREAS, Born in Virginia on February 22, 1732, President
  George Washington left an indelible legacy as this nation's first
  commander in chief and president; admired for his courage, vision,
  and integrity, he remains one of the most influential and respected
  United States presidents of all time; and
         WHEREAS, The special Laredo celebration of Washington's
  birthday dates back to February 22, 1898, when the tribe of the
  Improved Order of Red Men, a patriotic fraternal organization
  descended from the Sons of Liberty, and the defenders of City Hall
  staged a spirited mock battle, representing the colonial struggle
  against the British; when the Red Men emerged victorious and the
  mayor presented the key to the City of Laredo to the "Great Chief
  Sachem," "Sachem" being a code name used by George Washington
  during the American Revolution, a tradition was born; and
         WHEREAS, This monthlong extravaganza combines elements of
  both Hispanic and Anglo cultures and features parades, concerts, a
  carnival, fireworks, and an air show, as well as such notable events
  as the Colonial Pageant and the International Bridge Ceremony; the
  largest festival of its kind in the United States, Laredo's tribute
  to George Washington attracts approximately 400,000 participants
  each year; and
         WHEREAS, Overseeing this extensive program is the
  Washington's Birthday Celebration Association of Laredo, Inc.,
  which was established in 1923; through its support of this popular
  yearly attraction, the association strives to foster a greater
  understanding between the people of the Americas, to promote Laredo
  as one of the state's most patriotic and culturally vibrant cities,
  and to encourage a greater sense of civic and national pride within
  the community and region; and
         WHEREAS, The citizens of Laredo have done much to advance
  these worthy goals through their city's celebration of this
  legendary founding father, and it is appropriate to take this
  opportunity to recognize and commend all who make such an
  outstanding event possible; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
  Legislature hereby commemorate the 2009 Washington's Birthday
  Celebration in Laredo and extend to its organizers and participants
  sincere best wishes for another successful and memorable
  observance; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for the members of the Washington's Birthday Celebration
  Association of Laredo, Inc., as an expression of high regard by the
  Texas House of Representatives.
 
  Raymond
 
 
Straus Gattis Menendez
 
Allen Geren Merritt
 
Alonzo Giddings Miklos
 
Alvarado Gonzales Miller of Comal
 
Anchia Gonzalez Toureilles Miller of Erath
 
Anderson Guillen Moody
 
Aycock Gutierrez Morrison
 
Berman Hamilton Naishtat
 
Bohac Hancock Oliveira
 
Bolton Hardcastle Olivo
 
Bonnen Harless Orr
 
Branch Harper-Brown Ortiz, Jr.
 
Brown of Kaufman Hartnett Otto
 
Brown of Brazos Heflin Parker
 
Burnam Hernandez Patrick
 
Button Herrero Paxton
 
Callegari Hilderbran Pena
 
Castro Hochberg Phillips
 
Chavez Hodge Pickett
 
Chisum Homer Pierson
 
Christian Hopson Pitts
 
Cohen Howard of Fort Bend Quintanilla
 
Coleman Howard of Travis Raymond
 
Cook Hughes Riddle
 
Corte Hunter Rios Ybarra
 
Crabb Isett Ritter
 
Craddick Jackson Rodriguez
 
Creighton Jones Rose
 
Crownover Keffer Sheffield
 
Darby Kent Shelton
 
Davis of Harris King of Parker Smith of Tarrant
 
Davis of Dallas King of Taylor Smith of Harris
 
Deshotel King of Zavala Smithee
 
Driver Kleinschmidt Solomons
 
Dukes Kolkhorst Strama
 
Dunnam Kuempel Swinford
 
Dutton Laubenberg Taylor
 
Edwards Legler Thibaut
 
Eiland Leibowitz Thompson
 
Eissler Lewis Truitt
 
Elkins Lucio III Turner of Tarrant
 
England Madden Turner of Harris
 
Farabee Maldonado Vaught
 
Farias Mallory Caraway Veasey
 
Farrar Marquez Villarreal
 
Fletcher Martinez Vo
 
Flores Martinez Fischer Walle
 
Flynn McCall Weber
 
Frost McClendon Woolley
 
Gallego McReynolds Zerwas
 
  ______________________________
  Speaker of the House     
 
         I certify that H.R. No. 149 was adopted by the House on
  January 28, 2009, by a non-record vote.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House