By: Farney, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Schwertner) H.C.R. No. 35
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 11, 2015;
May 13, 2015, read first time and referred to Committee on
Administration; May 18, 2015, reported favorably by the following
vote: Yeas 5, Nays 0; May 18, 2015, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
COMMITTEE VOTE
YeaNayAbsentPNV
HancockX
UrestiX
CampbellX
EltifeX
HuffinesX
SchwertnerX
WestX
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Of all the Lone Star State's unique items of
headwear that Texans have used to adorn their heads, perhaps none
says "Texan" more fashionably than the Cowboy Hat; and
WHEREAS, The heritage of the Lone Star State is closely
associated with images of cowboys and the western frontier, and
these elements are reflected in several of the current Texas
symbols, including rodeo, the official state sport, and the
longhorn, the state large mammal; and
WHEREAS, Broad-brimmed hats with high crowns can be seen
being worn by nomadic warriors like the Mongolian Horsemen as far
back as the 13th century; the hats made their way to Europe where
they were adopted by the Spaniards in the 15th and 16th centuries;
the Spaniards brought the hats to the New World where the style was
embraced by the horsemen and cattle herders of Spanish Mexico
called "vaqueros" and blended with other styles such as the
"sombrero"; and
WHEREAS, The emergence of the cowboy in the southwestern
United States in the 19th century secured the cowboy hat's place in
history; the hats varied in style and material while maintaining a
wide brim and high crown; the wide brim provided the face, neck, and
shoulders of the wearer shade from the sun and cover from the rain
while enduring the elements on a ranch or cattle drive; and
WHEREAS, The modern cowboy hat's development is credited to
John B. Stetson, who crafted a hat by hand out of felt made from
animal skins in 1865; the hat became known as the "Boss of the
Plains" and this style of hat was popularized through the late 19th
and early 20th centuries; and
WHEREAS, The cowboy hat continued to gain notoriety both for
its utility to the wearer and for its fashionable appeal; it became
common to see presidents, governors, singers and musicians, movie
stars, athletes, and the average Texan wearing a cowboy hat; the hat
even became a required item of a Department of Public Safety
Trooper's uniform and an approved part of the Texas Ranger's
uniform; and
WHEREAS, An essential piece of clothing for a cowboy on a
cattle drive, a Texas Trooper on duty, or a fashion accessory that
can be personalized by shape and material, the cowboy hat reflects
the individualism that is so much a part of the Texan identity,
elegant in its appearance while maintaining practicality in its
function; classy, yet sensible, modern and esteemed, the cowboy hat
has stood the test of time, while enduring the elements, cattle
drives, and modern fashion trends and continuing to exhibit a sense
of style and dignified appearance; and
WHEREAS, The cowboy hat symbolizes both the state's iconic
western culture and the uniqueness of its residents, and it is
indeed appropriate that this stylish and dignified apparel receive
special legislative recognition; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby designate the cowboy hat as the official State Hat of Texas.
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