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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The third annual DFW Dragon Boat, Kite, and Lantern |
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Festival is being held on May 17, 2009, in Irving; and |
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WHEREAS, Featuring dragon boat races, kite flying, a lantern |
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festival, as well as traditional Asian food, performances, arts and |
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crafts, and educational activities, the event is hosted by the |
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Marco Polo World Foundation and is also supported by a host of |
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community volunteers and sponsors; through its establishment of the |
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DFW festival, this nonprofit organization seeks to promote the |
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sport of dragon boat racing, to celebrate Asian/Pacific American |
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Heritage Month, and to enhance intercultural understanding among |
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area residents; and |
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WHEREAS, The three main components of the DFW festival each |
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showcase a particular Chinese custom with origins dating back more |
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than 2,000 years; dragon boat racing began in China as a tribute to |
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the hero and patriot Qu Yuan, and today this team-building endeavor |
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is rapidly growing as an international sport; kites are another |
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legacy of ancient China and were created for the purpose of |
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communicating during battles; today they are a popular recreational |
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pursuit, many depicting fairy tales, flowers, birds, and other |
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animals, and contests are held for both craftsmanship and flying |
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skills; like kites, Chinese lanterns are beautiful works of art, |
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and while some are made simply as colored spheres, others feature |
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intricate designs and portraits of historical figures, legends, and |
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landscapes; among the first documented portable light fixtures, |
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lanterns are also often displayed, in a variety of shapes and sizes, |
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at such festivals as Chinese New Year and August Moon; and |
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WHEREAS, A unique educational experience, the DFW Dragon |
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Boat, Kite, and Lantern Festival is contributing to the cultural |
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vitality of the region, and it is indeed a pleasure to recognize the |
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efforts of its hosts to advance greater awareness and diversity; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the 2009 DFW Dragon Boat, Kite, and |
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Lantern Festival and extend to its organizers and attendees sincere |
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best wishes for a successful and memorable event; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the Marco Polo World Foundation as an expression of |
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high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |