Sons of the American Revolution

Texas Society

Supplemental Information for the 115th Annual Convention

March 12, 2010

Theme

The convention will have an historical theme for the first time in recent memory, and that theme will be the life and times of Alexander Hamilton.  It is hoped that subsequent conventions will also adopt a theme of a founding father, or mother, or some American Revolution incident, battle or other event.  This will allow us to bring more history into our conventions and remind us of our roots.  This theme will be implemented by the president offering short historical vignettes about Alexander Hamilton during each meeting and by carrying the theme into the President's Reception and the Banquet.

Attire

The dress for all business meetings is casual with compatriots dressed in either business suits or shirts and slacks.  The dress for the President's Reception is casual with Caribbean attire encouraged.  The dress for the Youth Awards Luncheon will mirror the business sessions as the luncheon is sandwiched between two business sessions.  The dress for the Banquet is black tie optional, or colonial uniforms and attire.  However, many men will be in business suits.  If you wear a tuxedo and you have a Texas theme bow tie and cummerbund please wear it.  The dress for Sunday morning will be very casual as many will leave immediately after the meeting to drive home and will wish to be comfortable. 

Ladies may want to dress comfortably during the day as they participate in various events.  Caribbean fashion will be the vogue at the Friday Night President's Reception with a prize given to best Caribbean outfit.  The luncheon will be casual with church dress appropriate and the banquet cocktail attire suitable for black tie optional.  Ladies may also wear colonial dress to the banquet.

Thursday Genealogy Seminar and Dinner

The seminar will be from 2 PM until 5 PM and will be conducted by Ms. Heather Kramer who is a librarian at the Clayton Genealogical Library and is very knowledgeable.  The speaker at dinner on Thursday is Professor James Kirby Martin, a distinguished Professor of History at the University of Houston.  He is the author of at least eleven books and numerous articles.  Professor Martin’s talk will be a highlight of the convention and you should try to attend if possible.

Dinner on Friday Night

There is no planned dinner on Friday night and members are on their own.  The Hilton Westchase is located at 9999 Westheimer at the corner with a street adjacent to the hotel named Briarpark.  Directly across Briarpark is the Carillon Shopping Center with a number of restaurants.  The restaurants located in this center include:  Outback Steakhouse, Fornos of Italy, Sabine River Café, 713 Sushi Bar, Marini’s Empanada House, Sherlocks Baker Street Pub, La Madeleine, Thai Cottage, Chili’s, Santos:  A Taste of Mexico, Marsala Wok, Subway, Scholotskys, Marble Slab, Starbucks, and the Vintropolos Wine Bar.  All of these restaurants are a short walk across the street (Briarpark is not a busy street), or you can drive.  Less than a mile away at the corner of Westheimer and Gessner is a shopping center with a Benihana, Churraccos, Kasra Persian Grill and Yaos.  If you want to drive a little further there are probably 20 good restaurants within 4 miles and the Galleria is only 6 miles from the hotel.  Additionally there is a restaurant in the hotel.  The Friday afternoon opening session will conclude by 6 PM and the President’s Reception will begin at 8 PM so there is ample time for a good dinner.

President's Reception

The President's Reception will be on Friday March 26th in the Westwind Room from 8 PM until 10 PM.  Since Alexander Hamilton grew up in the Caribbean the reception will feature a Caribbean theme and music.  Guests are encouraged to come dressed casually and Caribbean attire is appropriate, with a prize given for the best Caribbean attire.  An acoustic steel drum band  named Two Cans will play the best in Caribbean music and drinks, including Pina Colodas will be served at a cash bar.  Snacks will also be provided.

Youth Awards Luncheon

This luncheon is one of the highlights of the convention.  It features the oration contest where young men and women vie for the right to represent Texas in the national Oration Contest.  Last year the Texas winner won the national event so the quality of orations is usually quite high.  The American History Teacher, Essay, C.A.R., Eagle Scout, Elementary School Poster Contest, and JROTC/ROTC winners will also be announced.  All of these winners will go on to compete at the national Congress in Cleveland.  It is one of the events you don't want to miss as these young men and women are very inspiring.

Banquet

The Banquet is the big event of the convention and includes the Color Guard change of command ceremony, the presenting of the new Patriot Medal winners, the awarding of the prestigious Distinguished Service Medal and Meritorious Service Medals by the state president, and an address by the President General.  There will be a formal procession by Texas and national officers with full pomp and circumstance.  There will be a quiz about Hamilton during the meal with a prize awarded to the winner.  Alexander Hamilton himself will attend the cocktail party and banquet and personally visit the tables as guests dine and enjoy the dinner music.