83S20584 JGH-D
By: Sheffield of Coryell H.R. No. 146
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, For more than 75 years, Stephenville has played a
significant role in preserving and promoting the heritage of the
American rodeo and the cowboy way of life; and
WHEREAS, Considered by many to be the Cowboy Capital of the
World, Stephenville and its vicinity first became important to the
history of rodeo in 1937, when Everett Colborn moved his new rodeo
company to the nearby Lightning C Ranch, where he raised some of the
best rodeo stock in the world; during the 1950s, George and Beulah
Brown, the only husband and wife to be inducted into the Texas
Cowboy Hall of Fame, helped introduce rodeo to the area; and
WHEREAS, Today, Stephenville is headquarters of the United
States Team Roping Championship, and it is home to Lone Star Arena,
a premier rodeo venue that also hosts expositions, concerts, horse
shows, and other events; the city is also home to Tarleton State
University and its championship rodeo team; since 1947, Tarleton
riders and ropers have won 21 individual national titles in such
events as barrel racing, calf roping, and steer wrestling, and
Tarleton teams have taken six national titles; the team is one of
the largest in the nation, boasting more than 100 members; and
WHEREAS, Many championship riders and their families have
lived in the surrounding county, including world champion bull and
bronc rider Harry Tompkins, bull-riding champion Ty Murray and his
wife, the singer Jewel, world champion bull rider Tuff Hedeman, the
twin brother bull riders Adam and Gilbert Carrillo, and
J. J. Hampton, who has won more championships than any other woman
in professional rodeo; Stephenville was also the home of pioneering
barrel racer and National Cowgirl Hall of Fame inductee Isora
Young; many of these individuals have been honored in
Stephenville's Cowboy Capital Walk of Fame; and
WHEREAS, The rich history of the Western cowboy and cowgirl,
with their code of honor, dedication to traditional values, and
strong work ethic, remains vital and alive in Stephenville, and the
city's residents may indeed take great pride in the role they have
played in sustaining this outstanding cultural legacy; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby honor Stephenville for its
long history as a center of Western heritage and extend to the
city's officials and residents sincere best wishes for continued
success in their maintenance of this proud tradition; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the City of Stephenville as an expression of high
regard by the Texas House of Representatives.