SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 361
WHEREAS, The members and sponsors of the Texas Bison
Student Study Group have rendered an immeasurable public service
through their work to promote the conservation and preservation
of the legendary bison herd at Caprock Canyons State Park; and
WHEREAS, Once found in the millions across the Great
Plains, the buffalo were all but exterminated by hunters in the
1870s and 1880s; a few, however, survived in small herds on
private ranches, such as the group maintained by Charles
Goodnight on the JA Ranch, largely at the encouragement of his
wife, Mary Ann; during the decades when the Goodnights cared for
the herd, it supplied stock for conservation efforts that
succeeded in saving the species; in 1996, the owners of the JA
Ranch donated the descendants of the Goodnight herd to the State
of Texas, which relocated them to Caprock Canyons State Park; and
WHEREAS, The Texas Bison Student Study Group was organized
on September 12, 2010, at Lucy Rede Franco Middle School by The
STAR DAY Foundation of El Paso; this dynamic group is responsible
for a number of initiatives that have raised the profile of the
Caprock Canyons bison herd, fostered public appreciation for its
importance, and contributed to its support; and
WHEREAS, Shortly after the formation of the study group,
its members campaigned for the recognition of the Caprock Canyons
herd as the official State Bison Herd of Texas, an objective that
was achieved in 2011 when the 82nd Texas Legislature approved HCR
86; two years later, the 83rd Texas Legislature responded to
further proposals by the study group and passed SCR 10 and HCR 51,
designating September 12 and March 5 as Mary Ann "Molly"
Goodnight Day and Charles Goodnight Day, respectively; and
WHEREAS, At the urging of the study group, The STAR DAY
Foundation has established the Official State Bison Herd of Texas
Fund, a permanent endowment intended to assist in the maintenance
and improvement of the herd at Caprock Canyons; the fund was
officially launched on the first Mary Ann "Molly" Goodnight Day,
in 2013, and for its role in the creation of the fund, the study
group was honored by then governor Rick Perry; and
WHEREAS, During the 84th legislative session, the study
group sought to make the town of Quitaque, located near Caprock
Canyons State Park and named for Charles Goodnight's Quitaque
Ranch, the official Bison Capital of Texas, and SCR 22
successfully accomplished that goal; other study group proposals
have led to the inauguration of the Mary Ann "Molly" Goodnight
Library and Science Center Luncheon Seminar, held annually in
Quitaque and sponsored by The STAR DAY Foundation, and to the
development of the Texas Bison Journal, published on The STAR DAY
Foundation website; and
WHEREAS, Through their many efforts to support the bison
herd at Caprock Canyons State Park and to raise public awareness
ofitshistoryandsignificance,membersoftheTexasBison
Student Study Group have proven fervent, effective advocates for
the animal justly known as the Lord of the Plains, and they and
all who have supported their endeavors may indeed take pride in
their outstanding service to a worthy cause; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
Legislature, hereby recognize the Texas Bison Student Study
Group for its efforts in behalf of the official State Bison Herd
of Texas and extend to all those associated with the group
sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
the group as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.
Seliger
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 6, 2017.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate