SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 510
WHEREAS, The Muy Grande Deer Contest in Freer is celebrating
its 50th anniversary in 2015, and this milestone provides a fitting
opportunity to celebrate this exciting and popular event; and
WHEREAS, The competition traces its history to 1965, when
its founder, Leonel Garza, was serving as the manager of the
Center Circle Gas Station; he started the deer-hunting contest as
a way to draw hunters to his business, and that first year, there
was only one category, for the widest spread of antlers on a buck;
when the winner asked what he'd won, Mr. Garza, who hadn't
planned that far ahead, gave the man his wristwatch; and
WHEREAS, Named for the size of South Texas deer, the Muy
Grande Deer Contest is widely considered the oldest big buck contest
in Texas, and Mr. Garza himself is now known by the nickname "Muy";
today, the event boasts more than 1,800 lifetime members and annually
draws more than 900 registered entrants; through the decades, many
celebrities have participated, including baseball great Nolan Ryan,
actor Slim Pickens, and musician George Strait; and
WHEREAS, In recent years, Mr. Garza has been assisted by
his daughter and son-in-law, Imelda and Kenneth Sharber; the
contest now encompasses 70 categories, and the annual awards
ceremony regularly pays tribute to youth hunters, sports
writers, landowners, and ranch guides; a portion of the proceeds
each year goes to fund scholarships for local students; and
WHEREAS, In its first 50 years, the Muy Grande Deer Contest
has grown from a moment of inspiration by "Muy" Garza into one of
the signature sporting events of South Texas, and this pioneering
competition is a source of great pride to the residents of Freer
and the surrounding area; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th
Legislature, hereby commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Muy
Grande Deer Contest and extend to the event's staff and participants
sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
prepared for the Muy Grande Deer Contest as an expression of high
regard from the Texas Senate.
Zaffirini
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 9, 2015.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate