A house RESOLUTION

 

to welcome Mark Leavens, President of the Tournament of Roses Association, as he visits the Town of Clover to support the Clover High School Pride of Clover Marching Band which has been invited to appear in the 137th Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, California, in 2026.

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the president of the Tournament of Roses Association, Mark Leavens, and his wife, Kay, will be visiting Clover from March 10 to March 14 to bring publicity to the Pride of Clover Marching Band's appearance in the Rose Bowl Parade and to support the band members in their fundraising efforts for the trip to California; and

 

Whereas, the Clover High School marching band has been invited to appear in the 137th Annual Rose Bowl Parade on January 1, 2026, in Pasadena, California, only the seventh band from the Palmetto State to appear in this prestigious parade and the first in the last twenty years to do so; and

 

Whereas, the mission of the Rose Bowl Association is to "bring people together to celebrate the hope and joy of a new year filled with unlimited possibilities, inspiring imagination and creating memories," and the Rose Bowl Association will be doing just that for the members of Clover's marching band; and

 

Whereas, the first Rose Bowl Parade was held in 1890 to celebrate the beauty of the Pasadena community. Founder Charles F. Holder observed,  "In New York, people are buried in snow. Here, our flowers are blooming, and our oranges are about to bear. Let's hold a festival to tell the world about our paradise!"; and

 

Whereas, in the midst of the recent fire tragedies that plagued Pasadena, Palisades, Paradise, Hughes, Eaton, Altadena, Sierra Madre, and other areas in the Pasadena vicinity, the mission of the Rose Bowl Parade is all the more vital to the residents of those areas, as well as a treasured tradition across the nation; and

 

Whereas, the Tournament of Roses Association is a volunteer organization, and Mr. and Mrs. Leavens are to be commended for their volunteerism in supporting this worthwhile endeavor and for their willingness to stand alongside the Pride of Clover Marching Band in this exciting opportunity; and

 

Whereas, the Town of Clover, Clover School District, and the Palmetto State extend their appreciation to the Tournament of Roses Association for the extraordinary opportunity this invitation is providing for their students to take part in such a high-profile event and to learn and grow through the experience of travel and the wider opportunities to perform. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, welcome Mark Leavens, President of the Tournament of Roses Association, as he visits the Town of Clover to support the Clover High School Pride of Clover Marching Band which has been invited to appear in the 137th Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, California, in 2026.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mark Leavens.

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