H.R. No. 2096

	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The Camille Lightner Playhouse in Brownsville is
	celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2023, and this occasion
	provides a welcome opportunity to honor this South Texas treasure;
	and
	WHEREAS, The Camille Playhouse traces its roots to the fall
	of 1963, when several English, speech, and drama teachers, along
	with a few interested theater buffs, got together and started a
	theater group called "The Brownsville Players"; they originally
	performed in an old, vacant cotton sampling warehouse on Central
	Avenue, and their first two productions were Green Grow the Lilacs
	followed by Thieves' Carnival; and
	WHEREAS, In the summer of 1964, the Sams Foundation
	recognized the group's hard work and provided a grant for the
	construction of the present-day theater; the City of Brownsville
	donated the land in Dean Porter Park, and on January 31, 1965, the
	Camille Lightner Playhouse was dedicated in memory of Camille Sams
	Lightner, a talented performer with a love for theater who passed
	away in 1962; the Sams Foundation provided another grant in 1974,
	and shortly thereafter, a much-needed addition to the building was
	constructed for storage, work, and rehearsal space; and
	WHEREAS, Today, the Camille Playhouse is one of the oldest
	theaters south of San Antonio, and except for the two years of
	interruption during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has consistently
	presented 60 seasons of stage productions; the theater offers
	programs to people of all ages, both on the main stage and during
	its Youth Summer Workshops; and
	WHEREAS, For six decades, the Camille Lightner Playhouse has
	provided entertainment, enlightenment, and education to its
	audiences, and in so doing, it has helped build a strong sense of
	community and made an invaluable contribution to the rich, cultural
	fabric of Brownsville; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
	Legislature hereby commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Camille
	Lightner Playhouse and extend to all those associated with the
	theater sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it
	further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
	prepared for the theater as an expression of high regard by the
	Texas House of Representatives.
	Gamez
	______________________________
	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.R. No. 2096 was adopted by the House on May
	29, 2023, by a non-record vote.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House