HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 378 Offered February 22, 2006 Commending Tom Barr. ----------
Patrons-- Carrico, Abbitt, Albo, Armstrong, Byron, Callahan, Dudley, Gear, Janis, Johnson, Kilgore, Phillips, Rapp, Ware, R.L. and Welch
----------

WHEREAS, Tom Barr is recognized for his immense talent as a gifted artisan and master fiddle maker, as well as his valuable contribution to the celebration of the rich musical heritage of Galax and the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Tom Barr is the notable owner and operator of Barr’s Fiddle Shop in Galax, an acclaimed destination on the Crooked Road Map and featured in National Geographic; and

WHEREAS, dedicated to the preservation and celebration of Virginia's music history and culture, Tom Barr was one of the first  supporters of renovating the Rex Theater in downtown Galax into the prominent Historic Rex of Galax, which also appears on the Crooked Road Map; and

WHEREAS, the Crooked Road showcases towns along Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail, a driving route through the Appalachian Mountains from the western slopes of the Blue Ridge to the Coalfields region of the state that highlights the major musical heritage venues in Clinton, Norton, Hiltons, Bristol, Galax, Floyd, and Ferrum; and

WHEREAS, Tom Barr was one of the first fiddle makers to produce the "Smoke on the Mountain" trophies, which are unique playing fiddles, as well as the trophies for the winning team in the Barbecue Championship, a cook-off competition hosted by the Galax-Carroll-Grayson Chamber of Commerce, the Galax Smokehouse restaurant, and the City of Galax; and

WHEREAS, Tom Barr's fiddle trophies and the overwhelming support of the citizens, business owners, and local and state leaders were instrumental in Galax having the opportunity to host the first Virginia State Champion Barbecue competition in 2006; and

WHEREAS, Tom Barr has handmade a pearl inlayed banjo for the first state trophy to reflect the Commonwealth's musical heritage and decorated it with the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Tom Barr for his valuable contribution to the celebration of the rich musical heritage of Galax and the Commonwealth; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Tom Barr as an expression of the General Assembly's appreciation of his immense talent as a gifted artisan and master fiddle maker.