H.R. No. 2253
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Family farms and ranches are vital to the prosperity
of the Lone Star State, and the Vahlenkamp farm is indeed deserving
of recognition for 111 years of continuous operation; and
WHEREAS, The 272-acre Vahlenkamp farm is part of the Texas
Department of Agriculture Family Land Heritage Program, which
honors families who have owned and continuously operated a farm or
ranch for a century or more; and
WHEREAS, The farm was established in 1904 in eastern
Stonewall County, near Old Glory, by John Vahlenkamp, a German
immigrant; his grandson, Herbert Vahlenkamp, began leasing the land
from his grandfather in 1946, the same year that he married, and
Herbert and his wife, Gladys, became the owners of the farm in 1955;
and
WHEREAS, Able stewards of the land, Mr. and Mrs. Vahlenkamp
initially grew cotton, plowing the fields with the help of farm
animals and harvesting the crops by hand; today, they oversee the
production of wheat, hay, and cattle, and modern farm equipment
allows them to continue their active lifestyle after nearly seven
decades together; and
WHEREAS, In preserving their property as a working farm, the
Vahlenkamps have carried on their family's significant legacy, and
it is most fitting to honor them; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize the Vahlenkamp family for 111 years of
continuous operation of the family farm in Stonewall County and
extend to Herbert and Gladys Vahlenkamp sincere best wishes for the
future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. and Mrs. Vahlenkamp as an expression of high
regard by the Texas House of Representatives.
Springer
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2253 was adopted by the House on May
21, 2015, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House