By: Holzheauser H.R. No. 113 73R2658 LBD-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, On Friday, January 15, 1993, members of the Pastucha 1-2 family were formally honored by the Texas Department of Agriculture 1-3 for the historic contributions their many generations have made to 1-4 the economic and cultural development of the State of Texas; having 1-5 owned and operated their land continuously for more than 100 years, 1-6 the Pastuchas and 84 other families with similar records of 1-7 achievement were recognized in a special ceremony of the Texas 1-8 Family Land Heritage program; and 1-9 WHEREAS, Initiated in 1974, this unique program has paid 1-10 tribute to the more than 2,000 farms and ranches that, for more 1-11 than a century, have proven valuable to Texans everywhere, 1-12 providing financial prosperity and acting as a treasured cultural 1-13 point of reference; and 1-14 WHEREAS, In 1868, Vollintine Cicora laid claim to 72 acres of 1-15 land in southeast Texas' Lavaca County; here, this rugged 1-16 individual toiled beneath the hot Texas sun, raising cattle and 1-17 horses, cultivating crops of cotton and corn, and forming a special 1-18 relationship with the land that would endure in the hearts of 1-19 generations to follow; and 1-20 WHEREAS, A log barn built by Mr. Cicora stands today as a 1-21 reminder of this founder who, with courage and determination, 1-22 carved out of the land a way of life for his family; here, on this 1-23 same plot of land, David Lee Pastucha, William T. Pastucha, Jr., 1-24 and Mary Pastucha Polasek continue in the worthy footsteps of their 2-1 great-great-uncle, growing corn, milo, hay, and pecans and raising 2-2 cattle; and 2-3 WHEREAS, Texans, who traditionally have looked to the land 2-4 for their identity, owe a great deal to the spirit of families such 2-5 as these; the timeless values of the dedicated men and women who 2-6 continue to live and work on this state's farms and ranches are a 2-7 source of pride for all and a reminder of a legendary heritage that 2-8 is often easily forgotten; and 2-9 WHEREAS, The value of Pastucha Ranch extends far beyond 2-10 simple financial profit; rather, its true worth is realized in the 2-11 tradition of pride instilled in the hearts of those who have, 2-12 through years of labor, formed a lasting bond with the land; now, 2-13 therefore, be it 2-14 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 2-15 Legislature hereby honor the Pastucha family for its many special 2-16 contributions to the spirit of the State of Texas over the past 2-17 century; and, be it further 2-18 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-19 prepared for Mr. David Lee Pastucha, Mr. William T. Pastucha, Jr., 2-20 and Ms. Mary Pastucha Polasek as an expression of high esteem by 2-21 the Texas House of Representatives.