TITLE: Honoring the Pipe and Drum Corps of Bel Air High School in El Paso on the occasion of the Celebration of Bagpipes event on May 17, 2025.

SUMMARY: Honoring the Pipe and Drum Corps of Bel Air High School in El Paso on the occasion of the Celebration of Bagpipes event on May 17, 2025.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The third annual Celebration of Bagpipes is taking place at Bel Air High School in El Paso on May 17, 2025, providing a fitting opportunity to recognize the history and achievements of the Bel Air Pipe and Drum Corps; and WHEREAS, The band's origins can be traced to World War II, when Ysleta Independent School District superintendent J. M. Hanks conceived the idea while completing an active duty military assignment in Canada; the plan was brought to fruition in the early 1960s by Bel Air educator John Estes, who went on to serve as the band's director for more than three decades; through the years, the Bel Air Pipe and Drum Corps has been showcased at football games, parades, music festivals, international competitions, graduation ceremonies, presidential visits, and flag ceremonies; and WHEREAS, Today, Bel Air is the only public high school in Texas and one of few in the United States that has established a bagpipe band; to help keep the tradition alive, the 2025 Celebration of Bagpipes is featuring the corps in performance with pipe bands from the El Paso Police and Fire Departments, Empyre Pipes and Drums, and other ensembles; proceeds benefit the John Estes Scholarship, which was created to raise awareness of the program and to assist a deserving Highlander piper or drummer in continuing his or her education after graduation; the occasion also includes a special appearance by Mr. Estes to announce the 2025 scholarship recipient; and WHEREAS, For more than six decades, the Bel Air Pipe and Drum Corps has been a source of pride for the Highlander community and the wider El Paso area, and it is indeed a pleasure to join in recognizing this esteemed ensemble on this special occasion; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas Legislature hereby honor the Bel Air High School Pipe and Drum Corps on the occasion of the third annual Celebration of Bagpipes event and extend to all those associated with the program sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the band as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Perez of El Paso Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1111 was adopted by the House on May 23, 2025, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House