Bill Text: TX HR116 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Congratulating Joseph Ralph DeWitt IV on his retirement as proprietor of Ralph's Records.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2017-01-26 - Reported enrolled [HR116 Detail]
Download: Texas-2017-HR116-Enrolled.html
H.R. No. 116 |
|
||
WHEREAS, The retirement of Joseph Ralph DeWitt IV, proprietor | ||
of Ralph's Records for more than 36 years, marks the end of an era | ||
for the Lubbock music scene; and | ||
WHEREAS, The son of Joseph Ralph DeWitt III and Norma DeWitt, | ||
Ralph DeWitt was born in Houston in 1952; he spent some of his youth | ||
in San Antonio and Chicago before graduating from Monterrey High | ||
School in Lubbock; while studying business management at Texas Tech | ||
University, he paid for his studies by working in a grocery store, | ||
driving a cab, delivering newspapers, and working as a nightclub | ||
DJ; he also honed his entrepreneurial skills by buying and selling | ||
used cars, venturing into concert promotion, and investing in | ||
residential and commercial properties; and | ||
WHEREAS, Mr. DeWitt was also an avid record collector, and in | ||
1980, he realized his dream of turning his hobby into a business; he | ||
opened Ralph's Records in a small space on University Avenue, and | ||
within two years, he was able to expand; for a time, he also ran | ||
shops in Oklahoma City and Amarillo, as well as a second location in | ||
Lubbock; the store has operated at its current 82nd Street address | ||
since 1991; and | ||
WHEREAS, Fostering a friendly, laid-back atmosphere that | ||
customers loved, Mr. DeWitt always hired musicians and fellow music | ||
fans and encouraged them to share their knowledge, ideas, and | ||
opinions; the industry changed dramatically over the years, but he | ||
was able to adapt, adding such items as CDs, DVDs, and video games; | ||
all the while, he retained his allegiance to vinyl records, and he | ||
was ready to take full advantage of the revival of the format in the | ||
current decade; through the years, he has also been a steadfast | ||
supporter of live music in the city; and | ||
WHEREAS, Devoted to his family, Mr. DeWitt has benefited in | ||
all his endeavors from the encouragement of his wife, Polly, his | ||
children, Allison and Joey, and his mother, Norma, as well as his | ||
four siblings; and | ||
WHEREAS, Ralph DeWitt has set a sterling example of | ||
entrepreneurship while making vital contributions to the Lubbock | ||
music scene, and as he embarks on the next exciting chapter of his | ||
life, he may reflect with justifiable pride on his accomplishments; | ||
now, therefore, be it | ||
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas | ||
Legislature hereby congratulate Joseph Ralph DeWitt IV on his | ||
retirement as proprietor of Ralph's Records and extend to him | ||
sincere best wishes for continued happiness; and, be it further | ||
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be | ||
prepared for Mr. DeWitt as an expression of high regard by the Texas | ||
House of Representatives. | ||
Frullo | ||
______________________________ | ||
Speaker of the House | ||
I certify that H.R. No. 116 was adopted by the House on | ||
January 25, 2017, by a non-record vote. | ||
______________________________ | ||
Chief Clerk of the House | ||