Bill Text: TX HR634 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Honoring country music legend Merle Haggard.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 3-0)
Status: (Passed) 2013-03-14 - Reported enrolled [HR634 Detail]
Download: Texas-2013-HR634-Enrolled.html
H.R. No. 634 |
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WHEREAS, For nearly half a century, the music of Merle | ||
Haggard has championed those familiar with the hardships of life, | ||
and the evocative songs of this country music legend have made a | ||
lasting mark on American music and earned him recognition as the | ||
poet of the common man; and | ||
WHEREAS, Merle Haggard was born in Oildale, California, in | ||
1937, the son of Dust Bowl migrants from Oklahoma; the loss he felt | ||
at the death of his father set him on a troubled path during his | ||
youth, and he spent time in a number of juvenile detention centers | ||
before ultimately being sentenced to a term in San Quentin State | ||
Prison in 1957; there, he resolved to turn his life around and was | ||
inspired to join the prison band after seeing Johnny Cash perform | ||
for the inmates; and | ||
WHEREAS, Following his release in 1960, he began performing | ||
in California clubs with his band, the Strangers, helping to | ||
popularize the rousing, guitar-driven "Bakersfield sound"; in | ||
1966, he had his first number one hit with "I'm a Lonesome | ||
Fugitive," and in the years that followed, he began using his | ||
songwriting skills to acknowledge his turbulent past and to reflect | ||
on the experiences of those close to him; and | ||
WHEREAS, Mr. Haggard went on to record nearly 40 | ||
chart-topping songs, including the self-penned classics "Hungry | ||
Eyes," about the despair of Great Depression labor camps, "Mama | ||
Tried," describing a son's guilt for being sent to prison, and "Okie | ||
from Muskogee," channeling his father's Oklahoma roots for what | ||
would become a patriotic anthem; and | ||
WHEREAS, Whether he's singing of the thrill of love, the | ||
bitterness of loss, or the day-to-day grind of the "Workin' Man | ||
Blues," Mr. Haggard has enjoyed critical acclaim in addition to | ||
great popular success; he has won three Grammys and numerous | ||
Academy of Country Music awards, and he was inducted into the | ||
Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994; moreover, his lifetime | ||
achievements were lauded in 2010 with his selection as a Kennedy | ||
Center Honoree; and | ||
WHEREAS, Merle Haggard gives voice to the struggles, demons, | ||
and dreams of everyday people, and his extraordinary gifts as a | ||
writer and performer have earned him the respect of his peers and | ||
the admiration of countless fans across the United States and | ||
beyond; now, therefore, be it | ||
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas | ||
Legislature hereby pay tribute to country music legend Merle | ||
Haggard and extend to him sincere best wishes for good health, | ||
continued success, and happiness; and, be it further | ||
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be | ||
prepared for Mr. Haggard as an expression of high regard by the | ||
Texas House of Representatives. | ||
Miller of Comal | ||
Otto | ||
Stephenson | ||
______________________________ | ||
Speaker of the House | ||
I certify that H.R. No. 634 was adopted by the House on March | ||
13, 2013, by a non-record vote. | ||
______________________________ | ||
Chief Clerk of the House | ||