Bill Text: TX HR1644 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Honoring Texas Dance Hall Preservation for its work saving historic dance halls.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2019-05-28 - Reported enrolled [HR1644 Detail]
Download: Texas-2019-HR1644-Enrolled.html
H.R. No. 1644 |
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WHEREAS, Dance halls played a special role in the settlement | ||
of the Lone Star State, and Texas Dance Hall Pr | ||
eservation is | ||
dedicated to raising awareness of their enduring value; and | ||
WHEREAS, In the mid-19th century, Texans who immigrated from | ||
central Europe prioritized construction of dance halls in their new | ||
communities; they used traditional craftsmanship to build these | ||
facilities as social hubs serving a variety of organizations, from | ||
singing, shooting, and physical fitness clubs to religious groups, | ||
community insurance associations, and agricultural organizations; | ||
as central to community life as courthouses and churches, the halls | ||
also hosted social dances, becoming incubators for a wide variety | ||
of Texas music styles including polka, Western swing, honky-tonk, | ||
conjunto, Tejano, and barrelhouse blues; and | ||
WHEREAS, The state once boasted more than 1,000 dance halls, | ||
each telling a unique story through its design and structure; as | ||
small towns lost population or were absorbed into suburbs, the | ||
dance halls began to disappear, and today there are fewer than 400; | ||
over a quarter of these are at risk, and while some still welcome | ||
dancers, others have been repurposed; and | ||
WHEREAS, In 2007, Texas Dance Hall Preservation was founded | ||
to save these buildings and the authentic music and culture they | ||
have nurtured; the organization promotes the use of dance halls as | ||
venues for music, social dancing, and assembly, and it sponsors | ||
informational programs for the public; moreover, it encourages | ||
historical documentation, awards grants to assist with restoration | ||
and repairs, and provides consulting to support the economic | ||
contributions that halls make to their communities; and | ||
WHEREAS, Dance halls are a priceless part of our heritage, | ||
and through its efforts, Texas Dance Hall Preservation is helping | ||
to ensure that these distinctive buildings continue to function as | ||
catalysts for social cohesion and cultural enrichment; now, | ||
therefore, be it | ||
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas | ||
Legislature hereby honor Texas Dance Hall Preservation for its | ||
outstanding work and encourage all Texans to explore, enjoy, and | ||
support dance halls in their communities and across the state; and, | ||
be it further | ||
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be | ||
prepared for TDHP as an expression of high regard by the Texas House | ||
of Representatives. | ||
Morrison | ||
______________________________ | ||
Speaker of the House | ||
I certify that H.R. No. 1644 was adopted by the House on May | ||
24, 2019, by a non-record vote. | ||
______________________________ | ||
Chief Clerk of the House | ||