| 2 | 8 | | WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to |
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| 3 | 9 | | recognize Black Beauty Ranch in Murchison on the occasion of its |
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| 4 | 10 | | 46th anniversary; and |
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| 5 | 11 | | WHEREAS, Founded by renowned author and animal welfare |
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| 6 | 12 | | advocate Cleveland Amory in 1979, Black Beauty Ranch is a premier |
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| 7 | 13 | | animal sanctuary that provides a safe haven for animals in need |
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| 8 | 14 | | of rescue, rehabilitation, and lifelong care; operated by the |
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| 9 | 15 | | nonprofit organization Humane World for Animals and named for the |
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| 10 | 16 | | beloved novel by Anna Sewell, the ranch stands as a beacon of hope |
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| 11 | 17 | | and a symbol of compassion for animals freed from cruelty, |
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| 12 | 18 | | neglect, and exploitation; and |
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| 13 | 19 | | WHEREAS, Black Beauty Ranch's history began with the |
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| 14 | 20 | | rescue of 577 burros from the Grand Canyon, a landmark effort |
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| 15 | 21 | | that set the foundation for the ranch's mission to provide |
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| 16 | | - | animals with a second chance at life; today, the ranch spans |
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| 17 | | - | more than 1,400 acres of natural habitat in Henderson County |
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| 18 | | - | and offers a secure refuge for more than 600 animals |
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| 19 | | - | representing some 40 different species, including primates, |
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| 20 | | - | big cats, bears, horses, bison, reptiles, and livestock; all |
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| 21 | | - | animals housed at the facility were rescued from such dire |
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| 22 | | - | situations as roadside zoos, the exotic pet trade, circuses, |
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| 23 | | - | research laboratories, and hoarding cases; and |
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| 22 | + | animals with a second chance at life; today, the ranch spans more |
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| 23 | + | than 1,400 acres of natural habitat in Henderson County and |
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| 24 | + | offers a secure refuge for more than 600 animals representing |
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| 25 | + | some 40 different species, including primates, big cats, bears, |
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| 26 | + | horses, bison, reptiles, and livestock; all animals housed at the |
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| 27 | + | facility were rescued from such dire situations as roadside zoos, |
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| 28 | + | the exotic pet trade, circuses, research laboratories, and |
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| 29 | + | hoarding cases; and |
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| 27 | | - | their care and to ensure they receive not only shelter but also |
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| 28 | | - | the resources necessary to experience a higher quality of |
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| 29 | | - | life; beyond its work to aid vulnerable animals, the ranch has |
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| 30 | | - | been a leader in promoting public education and humane |
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| 31 | | - | advocacy through guided tours and educational programs that |
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| 32 | | - | help visitors from across Texas and around the world to better |
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| 33 | | - | understand the importance of animal protection and |
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| 34 | | - | environmental conservation; and |
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| 33 | + | their care and to ensue they receive not only shelter but also the |
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| 34 | + | resources necessary to experience a higher quality of life; |
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| 35 | + | beyond its work to aid vulnerable animals, the ranch has been a |
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| 36 | + | leader in promoting public education and humane advocacy through |
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| 37 | + | guided tours and educational programs that help visitors from |
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| 38 | + | across Texas and around the world to better understand the |
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| 39 | + | importance of animal protection and environmental conservation; |
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| 40 | + | and |
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| 35 | 41 | | WHEREAS, In 2024, Black Beauty Ranch stepped in to offer |
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| 36 | 42 | | sanctuary to animals following the closure of Puerto Rico's last |
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| 37 | 43 | | remaining zoo, where many had suffered from years of neglect and |
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| 38 | 44 | | inadequate care; this lifesaving effort demonstrated the ranch's |
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| 39 | 45 | | capacity for large-scale rescue operations as part of its |
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| 40 | 46 | | continuing work to protect and rehabilitate wildlife held in |
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| 41 | 47 | | substandard conditions; and |
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| 42 | 48 | | WHEREAS, Over the past 46 years, Black Beauty Ranch has |
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| 43 | 49 | | exemplified the highest standards of animal welfare and ethical |
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| 44 | 50 | | stewardship, and it is indeed fitting that this exemplary |
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| 45 | 51 | | organization receive special recognition for its outstanding |
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| 46 | 52 | | contributions to the well-being of animals; now, therefore, be it |
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| 47 | 53 | | RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th |
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| 48 | 54 | | Legislature, hereby commend the staff, volunteers, and |
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| 49 | 55 | | supporters of Black Beauty Ranch on 46 years of exceptional |
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| 50 | 56 | | dedication to the care and protection of animals in need and |
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| 51 | 57 | | extend to all sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be |
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| 52 | 58 | | it further |
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| 53 | 59 | | RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
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| 54 | 60 | | the ranch as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. |
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