| 1 | 1 | | 89R11609 CW-D |
|---|
| 2 | 2 | | By: Guillen H.C.R. No. 71 |
|---|
| 3 | 3 | | |
|---|
| 4 | 4 | | |
|---|
| 5 | 5 | | |
|---|
| 6 | 6 | | |
|---|
| 7 | 7 | | CONCURRENT RESOLUTION |
|---|
| 8 | 8 | | WHEREAS, The State of Texas is renowned for the diversity of |
|---|
| 9 | 9 | | its animal population, and select species have become iconic |
|---|
| 10 | 10 | | symbols for certain locations in the state; La Salle County, a |
|---|
| 11 | 11 | | renowned destination for hunting in South Texas, has become |
|---|
| 12 | 12 | | associated with one of its most challenging quarries, the wild hog; |
|---|
| 13 | 13 | | and |
|---|
| 14 | 14 | | WHEREAS, These hardy animals are descended from pigs that |
|---|
| 15 | 15 | | escaped into the wild as well as Eurasian wild boars that were |
|---|
| 16 | 16 | | imported as exotic game in the early 1900s; feral hogs thrive in |
|---|
| 17 | 17 | | many parts of the U.S. and have expanded throughout Texas; while |
|---|
| 18 | 18 | | their adaptability is impressive, they are recognized as an |
|---|
| 19 | 19 | | invasive species that poses serious problems for landowners and |
|---|
| 20 | 20 | | other animals; wild hogs forage for food by rooting, and Texas' |
|---|
| 21 | 21 | | estimated population of more than three million inflicts |
|---|
| 22 | 22 | | substantial damage to crops, pastures, and wildlife habitat each |
|---|
| 23 | 23 | | year; and |
|---|
| 24 | 24 | | WHEREAS, Hunting has been an important part of efforts to |
|---|
| 25 | 25 | | control the numbers of wild hogs, and that is especially true in La |
|---|
| 26 | 26 | | Salle County; residents and hunting enthusiasts from across the |
|---|
| 27 | 27 | | state and beyond are drawn to the area to pursue the elusive game, |
|---|
| 28 | 28 | | and the sport has a sizable impact on the local economy; the county |
|---|
| 29 | 29 | | is home to numerous ranches that offer opportunities to hunt feral |
|---|
| 30 | 30 | | hogs in addition to other game; and |
|---|
| 31 | 31 | | WHEREAS, Building on the popularity of feral hog hunting, the |
|---|
| 32 | 32 | | La Salle County Fair hosted the first Wild Hog Cook-Off competition |
|---|
| 33 | 33 | | in 1981; the event proved immensely popular and grew rapidly, |
|---|
| 34 | 34 | | adding a range of categories, including the much-anticipated |
|---|
| 35 | 35 | | artistic presentation contest, in which teams are judged on the |
|---|
| 36 | 36 | | elaborate trays they use to serve their food; today, the fair and |
|---|
| 37 | 37 | | cook-off take place every March in Cotulla, and the family-friendly |
|---|
| 38 | 38 | | event features live music, entertainment, carnival rides, and |
|---|
| 39 | 39 | | vendors in addition to the wild hog cooking contest; and |
|---|
| 40 | 40 | | WHEREAS, The feral hog hunting industry and the Wild Hog |
|---|
| 41 | 41 | | Cook-Off festivities are sources of pride and prosperity for the |
|---|
| 42 | 42 | | residents of La Salle County, and the importance of these |
|---|
| 43 | 43 | | attractions is indeed deserving of special recognition; now, |
|---|
| 44 | 44 | | therefore, be it |
|---|
| 45 | 45 | | RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas |
|---|
| 46 | 46 | | hereby designate La Salle County as the official Wild Hog Capital of |
|---|
| 47 | 47 | | Texas; and, be it further |
|---|
| 48 | 48 | | RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of Section |
|---|
| 49 | 49 | | 391.003(e), Government Code, this designation remain in effect |
|---|
| 50 | 50 | | until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is finally |
|---|
| 51 | 51 | | passed by the legislature. |
|---|