[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 37 (Thursday, March 14, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E299-E300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE PHILANTHROPY OF RALPH AND JOY ELLIS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KENNY MARCHANT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 14, 2013

  Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize Ralph and Joy 
Ellis as one of the most caring and giving couples in North Texas, and 
it is my distinct honor to highlight their significant contributions to 
the Lyric Stage of Irving, Texas. Furthermore, I would like to 
congratulate them for receiving the prestigious Lyric Stage Spotlight 
Award for philanthropic contributions to the arts at the Lyric Stage 
20th Anniversary Gala on March 22, 2013.
  Irving Lyric was founded in 1993 by Irving native Steven Jones to 
preserve and develop American musical theater. In 2007, the National 
Endowment for the Arts recognized Lyric Stage by awarding a grant to 
the theater to host Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel with a 40-piece 
orchestra. Ralph and Joy Ellis were so impressed with the performance 
that they have personally contributed the resources necessary for Lyric 
Stage to continue featuring a full orchestra at each production playing 
the original Broadway orchestrations.

[[Page E300]]

  Ralph and Joy's support has helped Lyric Stage provide the City of 
Irving and all of North Texas access to amazing original Broadway 
musical productions. In fact, in the 2012 season, audience members from 
20 states and 347 zip codes traveled to Irving to attend productions at 
Lyric Stage. Irving is proud to say that 90 shows have been produced 
locally, including 20 world premieres, several of which have gone on to 
theaters in New York and London.
  Lyric Stage is not the only program that Ralph and Joy Ellis have 
influenced through their generosity. They have made numerous 
contributions to local charities including the Salvation Army, Irving 
Cares, Brighter Tomorrows, Irving Symphony Orchestra, Irving Healthcare 
Foundation, Irving Family Advocacy, The North Hills School, and 
Crossroads Interfaith Clinic. The majority of their philanthropy, 
however, has been to endow several student scholarships at Texas A&M 
University, Southern Methodist University, and to graduates from the 
Irving Independent School System and Carrollton-Farmers Branch School 
System.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 24th Congressional District of Texas, I 
ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in thanking Ralph and 
Joy Ellis for their charitable contributions to North Texas programs. 
Their influence in the community has enhanced the quality of life for 
many Texans, and we are extremely grateful for this caring couple.

                          ____________________