Bill Text: TX HCR138 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commemorating the 40th annual Great Texas Balloon Race in Gregg County.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2017-06-15 - Signed by the Governor [HCR138 Detail]
Download: Texas-2017-HCR138-Enrolled.html
H.C.R. No. 138 |
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WHEREAS, The 40th annual Great Texas Balloon Race is taking | ||
place in Longview from July 28-30, 2017, and this milestone year | ||
provides a fitting opportunity to reflect on the event's rich | ||
history; and | ||
WHEREAS, This renowned balloon race had its start in 1978, | ||
when Dr. Bill Bussey, a hot air balloon pilot who held more than a | ||
dozen world records, agreed to use his balloon to promote the grand | ||
opening of the Longview Mall; in return, the mall's managers | ||
supported him in establishing a race, and the following year, 20 | ||
balloons were launched from the mall parking lot; and | ||
WHEREAS, More local businesses soon joined in the effort to | ||
make the affair a success, and in 1981, Dr. Bussey and his fellow | ||
pilots originated the popular "balloon glow," an evening attraction | ||
featuring tethered balloons lit from within, creating the effect of | ||
giant lanterns flickering in the night; this popular tradition has | ||
since been repeated yearly and replicated at balloon events all | ||
over the world; and | ||
WHEREAS, Today, the Great Texas Balloon Race is based at the | ||
East Texas Regional Airport, with pilots competing for the Texas | ||
State Championship title and, this year, for the Southwest Regional | ||
Championship title; from 2012 to 2015, the event was also the host | ||
site for the Balloon Federation of America National Championship | ||
contest; one of the most highly anticipated races of the weekend is | ||
the Controlled Navigational Trajectory Event, now known as the | ||
Fly-in, or the ring toss, where balloonists try to steer their | ||
balloon toward a 12-inch ring atop a 20-foot pole; over its 40-year | ||
history, the race has awarded more than $1.5 million in prize money | ||
to competing pilots; and | ||
WHEREAS, Every summer, Longview and the surrounding | ||
communities welcome the best hot air balloon pilots from across the | ||
nation and around the world, as well as tens of thousands of | ||
spectators, and in 2013, the 83rd Texas Legislature declared Gregg | ||
County the Balloon Race Capital of Texas; and | ||
WHEREAS, For 40 years, this spectacular competition has | ||
brought great pride to the Gregg County community while thrilling | ||
residents and visitors alike with the unforgettable sight of vivid, | ||
colorful balloons soaring against the East Texas sky; now, | ||
therefore, be it | ||
RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas | ||
hereby commemorate the 40th annual Great Texas Balloon Race and | ||
extend to all those associated with the competition sincere best | ||
wishes for a meaningful and memorable event; and, be it further | ||
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be | ||
prepared for the Great Texas Balloon Race as an expression of high | ||
regard by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate. | ||
Dean | ||
______________________________ | ______________________________ | |
President of the Senate | Speaker of the House | |
I certify that H.C.R. No. 138 was adopted by the House on May | ||
25, 2017, by a non-record vote. | ||
______________________________ | ||
Chief Clerk of the House | ||
I certify that H.C.R. No. 138 was adopted by the Senate on May | ||
26, 2017, by a viva-voce vote. | ||
______________________________ | ||
Secretary of the Senate | ||
APPROVED: __________________ | ||
Date | ||
__________________ | ||
Governor |