By Finnell H.R. No. 22 75R1746 JHS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, On July 11, 1996, the citizens of Seymour gathered 1-2 together to kick off the 100th Old Settlers Reunion and Rodeo, and 1-3 this centennial is truly deserving of special recognition; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Families from around the nation participated in this 1-5 annual celebration, which was first held in 1896; the event was 1-6 established by a retired cowboy named Jeff Scott who decided that a 1-7 cowboy reunion would be the perfect way to reminisce with family 1-8 and longtime friends; the first gathering featured baseball games 1-9 and good Texas cooking, and to top it off, a grand ball was held at 1-10 the town's opera house; and 1-11 WHEREAS, This year's centennial reunion had many highlights, 1-12 including three rodeo performances, an impressive downtown parade, 1-13 and an appearance by up-and-coming country and western singer Wade 1-14 Hayes, who thrilled area residents with many popular songs from his 1-15 debut album, including several that have become top-10 country 1-16 hits; additionally, an arts and crafts show offered locally made 1-17 handiwork to festival goers, all of whom were encouraged to indulge 1-18 in the abundance of food options and to enjoy evenings packed with 1-19 square dancing, fiddle playing, and other musical entertainment; 1-20 and 1-21 WHEREAS, The theme of this year's parade, "Western Heritage," 1-22 emphasized the importance of family and history to the people of 1-23 Seymour; awards related to this theme were presented to the oldest 1-24 man and oldest woman born in Baylor County, the family with the 2-1 most members born in the county present, and the person who 2-2 traveled farthest to attend the event; and 2-3 WHEREAS, Longtime cowpunchers were allowed to demonstrate 2-4 their formidable rodeo skills at the Old Timer Tie Down Calf Roping 2-5 and the Old Timer Breakaway, and the Open Chuck Wagon Cookoff 2-6 offered the opportunity for cooks of all ages to rustle up 2-7 delicious homestyle meals as part of a good-natured, though 2-8 hard-fought, competition; and 2-9 WHEREAS, After three days of competition and camaraderie, the 2-10 festivities were brought to a close on Sunday morning, when cowboy 2-11 evangelist Willard Moody led visitors and residents in offering 2-12 thanks to God for the many blessings they had received; and 2-13 WHEREAS, Certainly much has changed in the 100 years of this 2-14 great event, but the central idea of encouraging family and friends 2-15 to come together in recognition of fellowship and community has 2-16 remained the same, and the Old Settlers Reunion and Rodeo truly 2-17 exemplifies the spirit of this timeless theme; now, therefore, be 2-18 it 2-19 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-20 Legislature hereby congratulate the people of Seymour on the 100th 2-21 anniversary of the Old Settlers Reunion and Rodeo and extend to 2-22 them sincere best wishes for the continued success of this event in 2-23 the years to come; and, be it further 2-24 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-25 prepared for the City of Seymour as an expression of high regard by 2-26 the Texas House of Representatives.