[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 65 (Thursday, May 6, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E897-E898]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING JACK C. HAYS HIGH SCHOOL REBEL BAND

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 6, 1999

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, the Jack C. Hays School Rebel Band of Buda, 
Texas, recently earned the distinct honor of being selected for

[[Page E898]]

the 1999 ``Sudler Flag of Honor'' award from the John Philip Sousa 
Foundation. This award is the highest recognition of excellence in 
concert performance that a high school band can receive. During the 17 
years the award has been in existence, only 39 bands from the entire 
United States and Canada have been selected for the Flag of Honor 
award. Conductor Gerald Babbitt and his Rebel band deserve our praise 
and recognition on the occasion of receiving this prestigious award.
  The John Philip Sousa Foundation designed this award to identify and 
recognize high school concert band programs of very special excellence 
at the international level. To be eligible for nomination, a band must 
have maintained excellence over a period of many years in several areas 
including concert, marching, small ensemble and soloists. The director 
must have been the conductor of the band for at least the previous 
seven consecutive years including the year of the award.
  Each recipient receives a four-by-six foot ``Flag of Honor'' which 
becomes the property of the band. The flag is designed in red, white 
and blue and bears the logo of the John Philip Sousa Foundation. The 
conductor receives a personal plaque and each student in the band 
receives a personalized diploma.
  Mr. Speaker, it is indeed an honor to have such an outstanding high 
school band in the 14th Congressional District. I am delighted to 
extend my hearty congratulations to them. Their hard work and 
dedication is an inspiration to us all.

                          ____________________