2013/03/05 Country Music Monday and the Rotary Club of Giddings Recognized in HB 459
On March 5, 2013, the Texas House of Representatives passed HB 459, a resolution to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Lone Star Opry and Country Music Monday and recognizing the Rotary Club of Giddings for its ongoing sponsorship of the event. Please see the full text of the bill below.
Representative Kleinschmidt with Rotarians Doug Westfall, Martin Placke, Ricky Jorgenson, Denise Harlan, and Mark Johnson and other Lee County representatives.
WHEREAS, The Lone Star Opry in Giddings celebrated its 20th anniversary on January 7, 2013; and
WHEREAS, Members of the local Rotary Club sponsored the first "Country Music Monday" on January 4, 1993, at the Sons of Hermann Hall; in 2010, the event acquired the name Lone Star Opry and was moved to the Giddings High School Cafetorium, a venue that continues to host the event on the first Monday of every month, with an average draw of 500 fans at each performance; and
WHEREAS, The Lone Star Opry has entertained appreciative audiences with family-style shows featuring popular local performers, budding new talent, and seasoned professionals; the versatile house band covers musical styles ranging from traditional country to gospel and bluegrass and provides accompaniment for artists from across the Lone Star State as well as for guests from Nashville and beyond; and
WHEREAS, From its inception, the Lone Star Opry has been managed and operated by the Rotary Club, and the funds raised by the event are used for scholarships and other community projects; during the last 20 years, the club has donated more than $130,000 to help further educational opportunities for graduating high school seniors from Giddings, Lexington, and Dime Box High Schools; other worthwhile endeavors have included the purchase of playground equipment for an area park, financial support for a local food pantry, and assistance to the public library and to nursing homes in the community; and
WHEREAS, For two decades, the Lone Star Opry has provided a unique showcase for established and emerging musicians, and in so doing it has contributed greatly to the cultural vitality of the city and to many worthy initiatives in Lee County; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Lone Star Opry and recognize the Rotary Club of Giddings for its ongoing sponsorship of the event; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the Rotary Club of Giddings as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.