| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, The Texas Book Festival is marking the 30th |
|
|
anniversary of its founding in 2025, and this occasion provides a |
|
|
fitting opportunity to recognize the organization for its |
|
|
outstanding efforts to celebrate Texas authors, promote the joys of |
|
|
reading, and support public libraries across the state; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Organized by Texas First Lady Laura Bush, a former |
|
|
librarian, along with Mary Margaret Farabee and a group of |
|
|
committed volunteers, this remarkable nonprofit was established in |
|
|
1995, and it held its first festival in November of the following |
|
|
year; in the decades since, the Texas Book Festival has become one |
|
|
of the most prestigious and longest-running literary festivals in |
|
|
the nation; drawing over 40,000 attendees each fall, the event |
|
|
features more than 250 authors from around the world, and |
|
|
festivities include a variety of author presentations and panels, |
|
|
book signings, cooking demonstrations, and family-friendly |
|
|
activities; also connected with the celebration are the First |
|
|
Edition Literary Gala and the Lit Crawl afterparty; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, In addition to the annual festival, TBF runs several |
|
|
year-round literary and literacy initiatives; its Reading Rock |
|
|
Stars and Real Reads programs inspire the next generation of |
|
|
readers and writers by bringing acclaimed authors and illustrators |
|
|
to schools, and its Texas Library Grants award public libraries |
|
|
funds to expand their collections; over the years, the organization |
|
|
has donated more than 188,000 books to students in Title I schools |
|
|
and over $3.6 million to public libraries; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, In the course of the past three decades, the Texas |
|
|
Book Festival has made vital contributions to the rich cultural |
|
|
tapestry of the Lone Star State, and the organization is indeed |
|
|
worthy of recognition on this important milestone in its history; |
|
|
now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
|
|
Legislature hereby congratulate the Texas Book Festival on the |
|
|
occasion of its 30th anniversary and extend to all those associated |
|
|
with this noteworthy organization sincere best wishes for the |
|
|
future; and, be it further |
|
|
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
|
|
prepared for the Texas Book Festival as an expression of high regard |
|
|
by the Texas House of Representatives. |