| 1 | 1 | | 89R14559 CW-D |
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| 2 | 2 | | By: Smithee H.C.R. No. 87 |
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| 6 | 6 | | |
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| 7 | 7 | | CONCURRENT RESOLUTION |
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| 8 | 8 | | WHEREAS, Cowboys, ranching, and rodeos are cultural icons |
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| 9 | 9 | | that reflect the identity of the Lone Star State, and Amarillo has |
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| 10 | 10 | | played a significant role in celebrating and preserving this rich |
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| 11 | 11 | | heritage; and |
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| 12 | 12 | | WHEREAS, Competitive rodeo events grew out of the cattle |
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| 13 | 13 | | industry in the American West, and the Texas Panhandle became a |
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| 14 | 14 | | major hub for cattle drives and open-range ranching beginning in |
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| 15 | 15 | | the late 1800s; the region has served as home to some of the most |
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| 16 | 16 | | famous ranches in state history, including the JA Ranch established |
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| 17 | 17 | | in 1876, the XIT Ranch founded in 1885, and the Frying Pan Ranch, |
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| 18 | 18 | | which was created in the 1880s; over time, cowboys from neighboring |
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| 19 | 19 | | ranch operations challenged each other's riding and roping skills |
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| 20 | 20 | | in rodeo competitions, and local contests became annual events; and |
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| 21 | 21 | | WHEREAS, Today, that tradition continues through ranch |
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| 22 | 22 | | rodeos, which feature working ranch hands instead of professional |
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| 23 | 23 | | rodeo athletes; Amarillo serves as a center for these contests, |
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| 24 | 24 | | which draw tens of thousands of spectators to the city each year; |
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| 25 | 25 | | the Tri-State Ranch Rodeo takes place as part of the annual |
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| 26 | 26 | | Tri-State Fair & Rodeo, and the Will Rogers Range Riders Rodeo is |
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| 27 | 27 | | held over the Fourth of July holiday; the Working Ranch Cowboys |
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| 28 | 28 | | Association conducts the World Championship Ranch Rodeo finals, and |
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| 29 | 29 | | Amarillo is also home to the Coors Cowboy Club Ranch Rodeo as well |
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| 30 | 30 | | as the West Texas Ranch Rodeo, which hosts collegiate teams from |
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| 31 | 31 | | around the country; in addition, the Boys Ranch Rodeo sponsored by |
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| 32 | 32 | | Cal Farley's Boys Ranch dates to 1945; and |
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| 33 | 33 | | WHEREAS, Today, ranching remains an important economic |
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| 34 | 34 | | driver for the Amarillo area, and the city's Western traditions are |
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| 35 | 35 | | celebrated through special events, museums, and historic sites that |
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| 36 | 36 | | honor the working cowboy lifestyle; and |
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| 37 | 37 | | WHEREAS, Ranch rodeos are a source of pride and prosperity |
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| 38 | 38 | | for the residents of Amarillo, and the city's reputation as a |
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| 39 | 39 | | showcase for the sport makes it a popular destination for visitors |
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| 40 | 40 | | and competitors from across the Lone Star State and beyond; now, |
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| 41 | 41 | | therefore, be it |
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| 42 | 42 | | RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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| 43 | 43 | | hereby designate Amarillo as the official Ranch Rodeo Capital of |
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| 44 | 44 | | Texas; and, be it further |
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| 45 | 45 | | RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of |
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| 46 | 46 | | Section 391.003(e), Government Code, this designation remain in |
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| 47 | 47 | | effect until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is |
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| 48 | 48 | | finally passed by the legislature. |
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