H.R. No. 793
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Rader family has long contributed to the rich
agricultural heritage of Texas as ranchers and farmers; and
WHEREAS, The roots of the Rader family in the Panhandle
regions of Texas and Oklahoma date back to when Ernest Justin Rader
and his wife, Bonnie, settled on 160 acres in Day County, Oklahoma,
where they began raising Polled Hereford cattle; and
WHEREAS, Their son, Don, was born in 1924, and after serving
his country during World War II, he came home, earned an
agricultural economics degree at Oklahoma State University, and
married Mary Esther Gerard; the couple settled in Shattuck,
Oklahoma, and in 1960, they moved to Lipscomb County, where Mr.
Rader followed in his father's footsteps and raised Polled
Herefords; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, many members of the Rader family
have continued to be involved in ranching; Don Rader Jr. earned a
degree in ranch management from Texas Christian University, and
today his brother, Steve, runs the family ranch from its
headquarters in Lipscomb County and raises Polled Herefords;
sisters Judy, Nancy, and Betsy have all taken an active role in the
operation of the ranch, while Catherine settled in Canadian and
served communities in Hemphill, Lipscomb, and Wheeler Counties as
an adult probation officer; and
WHEREAS, Members of the subsequent generation also maintain
their close ties to the ranching life, and one grandson has carried
on Don Rader Sr.'s proud tradition of military service by
graduating from West Point and serving as an officer in the U.S.
Army; other Rader grandchildren are distinguishing themselves
through their studies at prestigious schools across the country;
and
WHEREAS, Four generations of the Rader family have farmed and
ranched in the Panhandle, and they continue to engage with their
communities as civic and business leaders; together, they honor
their family's legacy by exemplifying the values of hard work,
respect for the land, and service to others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the members of the Rader family
for their contributions to the ranching heritage of the Panhandle
and extend to them sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the Rader family as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
King of Hemphill
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 793 was adopted by the House on March
16, 2017, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House