83R8354 NEB-D
By: Callegari H.R. No. 797
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The 70th anniversary of the Katy Independent School
District FFA Livestock Show and Rodeo provides a fitting
opportunity to honor the legacy of its founder, the late
L. D. Robinson; and
WHEREAS, In the early 1940s, the FFA program in Katy was on
the brink of closing when L. D. Robinson was recruited by the Texas
Education Agency to intervene; together with his wife, Ruby,
Mr. Robinson developed plans for a livestock show, a lighted rodeo
arena, and a working farm, all of it self-financed; established in
1943, the multifaceted Katy FFA program became the first of its kind
in the nation, offering hands-on opportunities for students to
perform actual farm work; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Robinson received the National Honorary
American Farmer Degree in 1960, the highest honor bestowed on FFA
advisors and agricultural education teachers, and his program was
admired and acclaimed throughout the country; as a result of the
Katy program's success, other school districts asked for his help
in developing their own programs; and
WHEREAS, After 44 years as a Texas educator and nearly three
decades in Katy, Mr. Robinson retired in 1970; that same year, the
L. D. Robinson Scholarship Fund was established by his former
students in recognition of his work; the fund has awarded more than
100 four-year scholarships since its inception; and
WHEREAS, Although L. D. Robinson passed away in 1978, the six
Katy ISD FFA chapters, their advisors, and their many supporters
carry on his legacy, and the rodeo and livestock show remain beloved
mainstays of the program; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Katy ISD
FFA Livestock Show and Rodeo and pay tribute to the extraordinary
contributions of L. D. Robinson.