Texan Pride Idea: Celebrate Texas Friendship Day on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009

Texans throughout this entire state have been officially invited by the Texas House of Representatives to celebrate personal friendships in their lives on Sunday, August 2, 2009.

In a new cultural event that many Texans are hoping will become an annual celebration throughout our state, Texans on August 2 are being encouraged to treat a mutual-consent personal friend of theirs to a meal or social outing or shared hike outdoors.

The Texas House of Representatives on June 1----the last day of the regular session this year---approved a resolution recognizing August 2, 2009, as "Texas Friendship Day."

Official information about the "Texas Friendship Day" resolution (H.R. 3132) that was approved by the Texas House of Representatives on the final day of the regular session in 2009, can be found at either or both of the following links:

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/html/HR03132F.htm

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HR3132

That resolution noted that the Texas House wishes to encourage all Texans to "reflect on the meaning of friendships in their own lives."

That resolution, House Resolution Number 3132, had been submitted by State Rep. Dawnna Dukes of Central Texas.

The resolution approved by the Texas House on June 1, 2009, points out that:

---Texas is the only state in the entire nation whose name officially refers to friends or friendship. The name "Texas" derives from the Caddo Indian word for friends.

---Texas's longstanding official state motto of "friendship" was officially approved by the Texas Legislature in February 1930.

---Texans are noted for their "phenomenal friendliness" and accompanying extrovertedness, which are among the most impressive cultural strengths of this state and its people.

---the Texan cities of Eagle Pass, Dallas, and Burkburnett each host annual friendship festivals, and Houston in 2009 hosted a new friendship festival for that city that is expected to become an annual event in Houston.

---There is no current annual statewide civic tradition of celebrating personal friendships in Texas.