1 STATE OF OKLAHOMA
2 1st Session of the 59th Legislature (2023)
3 HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION 1001 By: Steagall
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7 AS INTRODUCED
8 A Concurrent Resolution recognizing March 6 as Bob
Wills Day at the Capitol; celebrating the life and
9 legacy of Oklahoma's son; thanking the Oklahoma Arts
Council and the Oklahoma Historical Society for their
10 work; and directing distribution.
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12 WHEREAS, Bob Wills, born in 1905, began playing fiddle in his
13 youth before moving with his band, the Texas Playboys, to Oklahoma
14 in 1934 to pursue business and creative opportunities; and
15 WHEREAS, Bob Wills became known as the King of Western Swing as
16 he helped originate and popularize a unique genre of music rooted in
17 folk, jazz, and blues that would lead to the development of rock and
18 roll and modern country music; and
19 WHEREAS, Bob Wills entertained millions of people during his
20 heyday, performing twice weekly at what would become the historic
21 Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa, playing live daily radio broadcasts,
22 touring across the country, and appearing in more than a dozen
23 movies; and
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Req. No. 7919 Page 1
1 WHEREAS, Bob Wills was inducted into the Country Music Hall of
2 Fame in 1968 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999, and was
3 named one of the 40 Greatest Men of Country Music by Country Music
4 Television; and
5 WHEREAS, Bob Wills' family has contributed his archival and
6 artifacts collection to the Oklahoma Historical Society to be
7 featured for future generations across from Cain's Ballroom at the
8 forthcoming OKPOP Museum; and
9 WHEREAS, the Oklahoma Arts Council and Oklahoma Historical
10 Society have partnered to revive the tradition of Bob Wills Day at
11 the Capitol, celebrating one of Oklahoma's most significant figures
12 in the history of popular music who continues to shine a bright
13 light on our state.
14 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
15 OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 59TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE, THE SENATE
16 CONCURRING THEREIN:
17 THAT the Oklahoma State Legislature recognizes March 6 as Bob
18 Wills Day at the Capitol.
19 THAT the Oklahoma State Legislature celebrates the life and
20 legacy of Oklahoma's son, Bob Wills.
21 THAT the Oklahoma State Legislature thanks the Oklahoma Arts
22 Council and the Oklahoma Historical Society for their work to honor
23 Bob Wills and revive this special celebration at the Capitol.
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Req. No. 7919 Page 2
1 THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to the Oklahoma
2 Arts Council and the Oklahoma Historical Society.
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4 59-1-7919 JL 03/02/23
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