By: Cain, White, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Estes) H.C.R. No. 84
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 16, 2011;
May 17, 2011, read first time and referred to Committee on
Administration; May 24, 2011, reported favorably by the following
vote: Yeas 4, Nays 0, 1 present not voting; May 24, 2011, sent to
printer.)
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Citizens of Texas have long enjoyed a reputation for
developing original and imaginative ideas that have been embraced
by individuals throughout the nation and beyond; and
WHEREAS, One such innovation is the domino game 42, a very
popular pastime that was created in the Lone Star State; and
WHEREAS, According to research conducted in 1985 by
journalist Christopher Evans of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the
game, also called "Texas 42," dates to 1887 and was developed by two
enterprising boys in the North Texas town of Trapp Spring, known
today as Garner; and
WHEREAS, There, 12-year-old William A. Thomas and
14-year-old Walter Earl one day found themselves in deep trouble
with their parents when they were discovered in a barn hayloft
playing the card game auction whist, which is similar to the modern
game of bridge; card games were considered sinful in the boys'
devoutly Baptist families, and William and Walter were disciplined
for their actions; and
WHEREAS, The punishment did not end their love of whist,
however, and they went on to devise a similar four-player game that
used dominoes instead of cards; because there was no prohibition
within their faith against playing dominoes, William and Walter
were able to show their friends how to play, and their invention was
soon taken up by other local residents; the activity later became
popular in Fannin County after the Thomas and Earl families moved to
the town of Windom; and
WHEREAS, Through the decades, the boys' creation spread far
and wide and became known as 42, an entertaining contest of skill
and chance that is enjoyed by countless people the world over; the
game is a true Lone Star original and a testament to the ingenuity
and fun-loving nature of Texans, making it a most fitting symbol for
our state; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby designate 42 as the official State Table Game of Texas.
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