H.R. No. 2104
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Pioneering barrel racer and horse trainer Nelda
Patton of Mansfield was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of
Fame in March 2009; and
WHEREAS, A native of Teague, Mrs. Patton learned rodeo riding
and horse training from her father, Carter Wills; she began
competing in barrel racing at a young age, winning her first event
at the age of eight; and
WHEREAS, In 1951, she married Bill Patton and moved with him
to Oklahoma, taking time away from the sport to raise a family; and
WHEREAS, The Pattons returned to Texas in 1961, and Mrs.
Patton soon began racing again; she won the Texas Barrel Racing
Association title in 1963 and again in 1968; moreover, she was
reserve champion six times and consistently finished among the top
17 competitors throughout her career; she also took top honors in
the event at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo in 1968; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Patton has long been recognized as a top horse
trainer, and more than 30 horses have benefited from her expertise
to become champion barrel-racing mounts; now 75, she continued to
train horses until 2007 and to compete as a barrel racer into the
1990s; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Patton also played a vital role in the creation
of the Texas Barrel Racing Association and has been instrumental in
introducing many young women to the sport of barrel racing; and
WHEREAS, For more than six decades, Nelda Patton has been a
pioneer and a champion in her sport, as well as an inspiration to
younger generations of riders, and she is indeed deserving of this
prestigious recognition; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Nelda Patton on her induction into
the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame and honor her for her remarkable
career; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mrs. Patton as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Turner of Tarrant
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2104 was adopted by the House on May
21, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House