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HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The 40th annual Great Texas Balloon Race is taking |
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place in Longview from July 28-30, 2017, and this milestone year |
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provides a fitting opportunity to reflect on the event's rich |
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history; and |
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WHEREAS, This renowned balloon race had its start in 1978, |
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when Dr. Bill Bussey, a hot air balloon pilot who held more than a |
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dozen world records, agreed to use his balloon to promote the grand |
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opening of the Longview Mall; in return, the mall's managers |
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supported him in establishing a race, and the following year, 20 |
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balloons were launched from the mall parking lot; and |
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WHEREAS, More local businesses soon joined in the effort to |
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make the affair a success, and in 1981, Dr. Bussey and his fellow |
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pilots originated the popular "balloon glow," an evening attraction |
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featuring tethered balloons lit from within, creating the effect of |
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giant lanterns flickering in the night; this popular tradition has |
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since been repeated yearly and replicated at balloon events all |
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over the world; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, the Great Texas Balloon Race is based at the |
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East Texas Regional Airport, with pilots competing for the Texas |
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State Championship title and, this year, for the Southwest Regional |
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Championship title; from 2012 to 2015, the event was also the host |
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site for the Balloon Federation of America National Championship |
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contest; one of the most highly anticipated races of the weekend is |
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the Controlled Navigational Trajectory Event, now known as the |
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Fly-in, or the ring toss, where balloonists try to steer their |
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balloon toward a 12-inch ring atop a 20-foot pole; over its 40-year |
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history, the race has awarded more than $1.5 million in prize money |
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to competing pilots; and |
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WHEREAS, Every summer, Longview and the surrounding |
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communities welcome the best hot air balloon pilots from across the |
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nation and around the world, as well as tens of thousands of |
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spectators, and in 2013, the 83rd Texas Legislature declared Gregg |
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County the Balloon Race Capital of Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, For 40 years, this spectacular competition has |
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brought great pride to the Gregg County community while thrilling |
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residents and visitors alike with the unforgettable sight of vivid, |
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colorful balloons soaring against the East Texas sky; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby commemorate the 40th annual Great Texas Balloon Race and |
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extend to all those associated with the competition sincere best |
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wishes for a meaningful 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 Great Texas Balloon Race as an expression of high |
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regard by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate. |
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Dean |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.C.R. No. 138 was adopted by the House on May |
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25, 2017, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.C.R. No. 138 was adopted by the Senate on May |
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26, 2017, by a viva-voce vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: __________________ |
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__________________ |
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Governor |