HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas Legislature takes great pride in honoring
1-2 a distinguished native son of the Lone Star State, Stephen J. "Tio"
1-3 Kleberg, the last of the great South Texas ranchers; and
1-4 WHEREAS, Born March 17, 1946, in Austin, Mr. Kleberg's
1-5 birthright is closely linked to the history of the state as he is a
1-6 proud descendant of Richard King, the man who in 1853 purchased the
1-7 property that would one day be known the world over as the King
1-8 Ranch and would encompass 825,000 acres of South Texas ranchland as
1-9 well as international holdings; and
1-10 WHEREAS, Possessing the intelligence, drive, and vision of
1-11 his forebears, Mr. Kleberg followed in their footsteps and learned
1-12 the operation firsthand, working under the tutelage of his father,
1-13 R. M. Kleberg, Jr., and his heroes, the Kinenos, or King Ranch
1-14 cowboys, whose families have lived on the ranch for generations;
1-15 and
1-16 WHEREAS, A 1964 graduate of the Texas Military Institute,
1-17 Mr. Kleberg pursued his higher education as a student at Texas Tech
1-18 University, where he also pursued the lovely Janell, who would
1-19 later accept his hand in marriage and prove the sweetest deal he
1-20 ever made; and
1-21 WHEREAS, Despite the influence of college buddies Pete and
1-22 Rob, Mr. Kleberg earned his bachelor of science degree in 1969 and
1-23 went on to serve his country as a member of the U.S. Army, which
1-24 awarded him the Distinguished Service Medal and an honorable
2-1 discharge for his actions; and
2-2 WHEREAS, Returning home, he went on to steer the ranch's
2-3 cattle and horse operation, and, in 1988, he became vice president
2-4 of King Ranch Agri-business, managing its agricultural enterprises
2-5 in the United States and Brazil over the course of the next decade;
2-6 and
2-7 WHEREAS, Along the way, he managed to amass an amazing string
2-8 of accomplishments that served to further enhance and diversify the
2-9 ranch's holdings; not only did he begin the organization's
2-10 60,000-acre farming operation, but he also expanded its famed
2-11 quarterhorse operation to include cutting horses, played a role in
2-12 the creation of the Santa Cruz breed of cattle, opened the ranch to
2-13 hunters, developed a wildlife conservation program, and started a
2-14 visitor management program for the ranch, all with one arm tied
2-15 behind his back; and
2-16 WHEREAS, Equally comfortable on two legs or four, Mr. Kleberg
2-17 is revered by the Kinenos, for his passion for the ranch and the
2-18 sense of responsibility and affection he has for those who make
2-19 Kinena their home is unparalleled; on call 24 hours a day, his gate
2-20 is always open to those in need, and his honesty, integrity, and
2-21 compassion have moved many a cowboy's heart; and
2-22 WHEREAS, Far from restricting his activities to those
2-23 related to the ranch, this commendable cowboy has sat on almost as
2-24 many boards as he has horses, and the Boy Scouts of America, Texas
2-25 A&M University's Kingsville Foundation, and the South Texas
2-26 Heritage Rodeo are but a few of the many organizations, as well as
2-27 the Kingsville community, that have benefited from the leadership
3-1 and interest of Mr. Kleberg through the years; and
3-2 WHEREAS, Reelected to the King Ranch Board of Directors in
3-3 1998, Mr. Kleberg has recently begun to turn his attention to other
3-4 interests long held at bay, and, while this represents an unwelcome
3-5 change for those who have worked so closely with him through the
3-6 years, they may take comfort in the fact that as long as there are
3-7 horizons to explore, fences to mend, and envelopes to push, Tio
3-8 Kleberg will remain in his element, giving generously of his time,
3-9 energy, and resources to the state he is proud to call home; now,
3-10 therefore, be it
3-11 RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas
3-12 hereby commend Stephen J. "Tio" Kleberg on his remarkable legacy
3-13 of achievement and honor him for the innumerable contributions he
3-14 has made to the Lone Star State; and, be it further
3-15 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-16 prepared for Mr. Kleberg as an expression of highest regard by the
3-17 Texas House of Representatives and Senate.
Rangel
Laney
Junell
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 3 was adopted by the House on March
3, 1999, by a non-record vote.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 3 was adopted by the Senate on
March 4, 1999, by a viva-voce vote.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor