| 1 | 1 | | H.R. No. 2056 |
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| 2 | 2 | | |
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| 3 | 3 | | |
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| 4 | 4 | | R E S O L U T I O N |
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| 5 | 5 | | WHEREAS, The Germania Farmer Verein in Anhalt is hosting its |
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| 6 | 6 | | 134th annual Maifest on May 17, 2009, and this occasion represents |
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| 7 | 7 | | an ideal opportunity to recognize the history of one of the Lone |
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| 8 | 8 | | Star State's most enduring organizations; and |
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| 9 | 9 | | WHEREAS, Founded by German ranchers, the Verein, or club, |
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| 10 | 10 | | first met at a store on October 4, 1875, to discuss ways to protect |
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| 11 | 11 | | cattle from the rustlers who were rampant in the area; the 50 |
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| 12 | 12 | | charter members elected Carl Koch as their first president and went |
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| 13 | 13 | | on to adopt a "G" brand for all their livestock; the following |
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| 14 | 14 | | April, they commissioned a master blacksmith to make the brand, and |
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| 15 | 15 | | they posted a $1,000 reward for the apprehension of any cattle |
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| 16 | 16 | | thief; and |
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| 17 | 17 | | WHEREAS, The branding program was so successful that the |
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| 18 | 18 | | Farmer Verein was soon able to take on other functions as a social |
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| 19 | 19 | | and benevolent association; in 1878, it became a mutual assessment |
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| 20 | 20 | | life insurance company, and members built Anhalt Hall the next |
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| 21 | 21 | | year; they conducted research to improve livestock, agriculture, |
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| 22 | 22 | | and horticulture and began holding fairs in the spring and fall to |
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| 23 | 23 | | exhibit animals and field and garden products; and |
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| 24 | 24 | | WHEREAS, During the first three decades, the Farmer Verein |
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| 25 | 25 | | expanded the hall several times, notably adding a beautiful |
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| 26 | 26 | | 6,000-square-foot oak dance floor in 1908; renovated in 1993, |
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| 27 | 27 | | Anhalt Hall remains a wonderfully preserved example of the classic |
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| 28 | 28 | | Texas dance hall; the landmark has hosted performances by such |
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| 29 | 29 | | nationally known musicians as Jerry Jeff Walker and George Strait, |
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| 30 | 30 | | and welcomes thousands of visitors each year for Oktoberfest and |
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| 31 | 31 | | Maifest, when the club offers German food, beer, polkas, and |
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| 32 | 32 | | country-western music; the 134th Maifest features the Seven |
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| 33 | 33 | | Dutchmen Polka Band and country star Gary P. Nunn; and |
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| 34 | 34 | | WHEREAS, Presently led by Wilton Steubing, the Germania |
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| 35 | 35 | | Farmer Verein has had fewer than 10 presidents in its long history, |
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| 36 | 36 | | evidencing its stability and continuity; the current membership of |
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| 37 | 37 | | approximately 350 focuses on schools as well as promoting |
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| 38 | 38 | | agriculture and fellowship in Comal County, and all those |
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| 39 | 39 | | associated with this fine organization can indeed take pride in the |
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| 40 | 40 | | role it continues to play in its community; now, therefore, be it |
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| 41 | 41 | | RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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| 42 | 42 | | Legislature hereby recognize the Germania Farmer Verein and extend |
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| 43 | 43 | | best wishes to its members for a memorable 2009 Maifest; and, be it |
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| 44 | 44 | | further |
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| 45 | 45 | | RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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| 46 | 46 | | prepared for the club as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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| 47 | 47 | | House of Representatives. |
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| 48 | 48 | | Miller of Comal |
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| 49 | 49 | | ______________________________ |
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| 50 | 50 | | Speaker of the House |
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| 51 | 51 | | I certify that H.R. No. 2056 was adopted by the House on May |
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| 52 | 52 | | 19, 2009, by a non-record vote. |
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| 53 | 53 | | ______________________________ |
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| 54 | 54 | | Chief Clerk of the House |
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