DALLAS -- Earlier this year, April 17, 2006, State Senator Royce West (D-Dallas) was installed as President Pro Tempore of the Texas Senate; a duty that places him third at the helm of state leadership. Since that time, plans have been underway to honor Senator West's tenure as part of the Texas tradition of Governor For A Day. The official celebration takes place Saturday, November 18, 2006 at and near the Texas Capitol.

"There are only a few occasions that have generated the level of excitement and anticipation that I experienced when I was chosen by my colleagues to serve as President Pro Tem of the Texas Senate," said Senator West. "Already, this year when Gov. Perry and Lt. Gov. Dewhurst have been out of Texas, state leadership has been assigned to me. It was an awesome feeling of responsibility. That said, it is an honor that I wish to share with my constituents and those from across the state who have supported my efforts put forth on behalf of the citizens of Texas. The events planned for Governor For A Day are a way of showing my gratitude for that support."

The day's events begin with the Governor For A Day Inaugural Parade, Saturday morning starting at 9 a.m. More than 1,500 participants are scheduled to march and ride the one-mile parade route up Congress Avenue to the State Capitol. Included are high school bands and drill teams and dancers from Dallas, DeSoto, Cedar Hill, Duncanville and Lancaster. Prairie View A&M University's "Marching Storm Band" and the University of Texas at Arlington's Drum Line are part of parade festivities, in addition to area Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and the Texas Buffalo Soldiers.

At noon, the official Inaugural Ceremony will take place in the Texas Capitol Senate Chamber. Both events are free and open to the public. Shortly afterwards, celebrants will have lunch on the Capitol lawn while listening to Latino music by The Mariachis and the jazz and R&B sounds of saxophonist Don Diego. Inside, "Governor West" will greet visitors in the Governor's Reception Room while the Texas Southern University Jazz Quintet performs in the Capitol Rotunda. Tours of the Capitol and the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum are also available.

The day's events culminate with the Governor's Gala to be held at the Hilton Austin Hotel featuring R&B performers, "The Impressions." Reservations are required for this event.

Senator West's tenure as Senate President Pro Tempore extends through the start of the 2007 Session of the Texas Legislature next January.

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