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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, St. Patrick's Day is commemorated every year by |
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people of Irish ancestry all over the world, and each March for |
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nearly 75 years, the city of Shamrock in the Panhandle has drawn |
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countless visitors for its celebration of all things Irish; and |
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WHEREAS, Named by immigrant sheep rancher George Nickel in |
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honor of his native land, Shamrock is home to an annual |
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St. Patrick's Day gathering that was started in 1938 by Glen Truax, |
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the town's bandmaster; sponsored by the Shamrock Booster Club, the |
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first festival was a success, featuring 12 bands and drawing |
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several thousand people; and |
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WHEREAS, The festival continued to grow until it was put on |
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hold during World War II; revived by the American Legion and the |
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Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1950, it was canceled again in 1951 |
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because of the Korean War, but in 1952, the Shamrock Chamber of |
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Commerce took over the event, and it has continued to be held |
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throughout the ensuing years; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, the Shamrock St. Patrick's Day festival |
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lasts several days, starting with a kickoff banquet and a dance, |
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followed by such events as a carnival, a fun run, an arts and crafts |
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exhibition, a vintage car show, an Old Settlers reunion, a Donegal |
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beard-growing competition, and the crowning of Miss Irish Rose, all |
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done with a distinctively Hibernian flair; and |
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WHEREAS, Every spring, the Shamrock St. Patrick's Day event |
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combines the best of Irish and Texas high spirits, making it one of |
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the most unique and colorful community celebrations in the Lone |
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Star State; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 83rd Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby designate the Shamrock St. Patrick's Day Celebration as the |
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official St. Patrick's Day Celebration for the State of Texas. |