R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, Texas, is one of the state's

 1-2     most unique and popular attractions, for it has now provided its

 1-3     visitors with free access to many rare animals for more than half a

 1-4     century; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, Originally created by D. K. Caldwell as part of a

 1-6     play school for local children with a caged squirrel, rabbit, and

 1-7     monkey, the facility experienced a growing public interest through

 1-8     the years; in 1953 Mr. Caldwell purchased 125 acres for the

 1-9     creation of a zoo, and  with the help of his wife, Lottie Ray, the

1-10     Caldwell Zoo opened its doors the following year; and

1-11           WHEREAS, The local citizenry embraced the zoo at its new

1-12     location, and when the facility was vandalized in 1971 children

1-13     from Tyler and neighboring communities donated ice-cream money and

1-14     other precious funds to help repair the damage that had been done;

1-15     the Caldwell's responded by purchasing an Asian elephant, Kimbo, as

1-16     a lasting tribute to the children's selfless generosity; and

1-17           WHEREAS, Caldwell Zoo has continued to grow and flourish and

1-18     now encompasses 50 developed areas, with shaded walkways and

1-19     relaxing rest areas for visitors to view the zoo's 1,500 denizens;

1-20     although each of the zoo's many exhibits is outstanding, the East

1-21     Africa exhibit was given special recognition in 1992 when it

1-22     received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the American

1-23     Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums; and

1-24           WHEREAS, On the cutting edge of research relating to

 2-1     artificial insemination of endangered species, Caldwell Zoo has

 2-2     been actively involved in many Species Survival Plans for

 2-3     endangered cats, and the first birth of a baby cheetah through that

 2-4     process, which was the result of a cooperative effort with the

 2-5     National Zoological Park and Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, occurred

 2-6     at Caldwell Zoo in 1991; and

 2-7           WHEREAS, Encouraging the populace to understand and

 2-8     appreciate  the spectacular array of animal life that inhabits our

 2-9     planet, and the sometimes fragile nature of the habitat that

2-10     supports them, represents a significant contribution to society,

2-11     and Caldwell Zoo's many achievements in this regard indeed merit

2-12     special legislative recognition at this time; now, therefore, be it

2-13           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-14     Legislature hereby commend Lottie Ray Caldwell, the zoo's Executive

2-15     Director, Hayes Caldwell, and the many other dedicated men and

2-16     women whose efforts have enabled the Caldwell Zoo to become one of

2-17     the area's most remarkable attractions; and, be it further

2-18           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-19     prepared for prominent display at Caldwell Zoo in Tyler as an

2-20     expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.

                                                                       Kamel

                                             _______________________________

                                                   Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.R. No. 519 was adopted by the House on April

         18, 1997, by a non-record vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House