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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The retirement of Joseph Ralph DeWitt IV, proprietor |
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of Ralph's Records for more than 36 years, marks the end of an era |
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for the Lubbock music scene; and |
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WHEREAS, The son of Joseph Ralph DeWitt III and Norma DeWitt, |
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Ralph DeWitt was born in Houston in 1952; he spent some of his youth |
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in San Antonio and Chicago before graduating from Monterrey High |
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School in Lubbock; while studying business management at Texas Tech |
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University, he paid for his studies by working in a grocery store, |
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driving a cab, delivering newspapers, and working as a nightclub |
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DJ; he also honed his entrepreneurial skills by buying and selling |
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used cars, venturing into concert promotion, and investing in |
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residential and commercial properties; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. DeWitt was also an avid record collector, and in |
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1980, he realized his dream of turning his hobby into a business; he |
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opened Ralph's Records in a small space on University Avenue, and |
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within two years, he was able to expand; for a time, he also ran |
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shops in Oklahoma City and Amarillo, as well as a second location in |
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Lubbock; the store has operated at its current 82nd Street address |
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since 1991; and |
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WHEREAS, Fostering a friendly, laid-back atmosphere that |
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customers loved, Mr. DeWitt always hired musicians and fellow music |
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fans and encouraged them to share their knowledge, ideas, and |
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opinions; the industry changed dramatically over the years, but he |
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was able to adapt, adding such items as CDs, DVDs, and video games; |
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all the while, he retained his allegiance to vinyl records, and he |
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was ready to take full advantage of the revival of the format in the |
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current decade; through the years, he has also been a steadfast |
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supporter of live music in the city; and |
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WHEREAS, Devoted to his family, Mr. DeWitt has benefited in |
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all his endeavors from the encouragement of his wife, Polly, his |
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children, Allison and Joey, and his mother, Norma, as well as his |
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four siblings; and |
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WHEREAS, Ralph DeWitt has set a sterling example of |
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entrepreneurship while making vital contributions to the Lubbock |
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music scene, and as he embarks on the next exciting chapter of his |
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life, he may reflect with justifiable pride on his accomplishments; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate Joseph Ralph DeWitt IV on his |
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retirement as proprietor of Ralph's Records and extend to him |
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sincere best wishes for continued happiness; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. DeWitt as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |
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Frullo |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 116 was adopted by the House on |
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January 25, 2017, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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