1-1                                     1
 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 204
 1-3           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pride
 1-4     in recognizing the participants and sponsors of the Sweetwater
 1-5     Rattlesnake Round-Up on the grand occasion of the 41st anniversary
 1-6     of this distinctive event; and
 1-7           WHEREAS, The Sweetwater Rattlesnake Round-Up was first
 1-8     conceived of by the area farmers and ranchers who were plagued
 1-9     by a prodigious number of rattlers; the event has grown to be the
1-10     world's largest rattlesnake round-up, as more than 100 tons of
1-11     western diamondback rattlesnakes have been captured; and
1-12           WHEREAS, In conjunction with this year's round-up, the
1-13     cook-off takes place March 12 through 14, marking the 10th year
1-14     for this event to be held; to celebrate and promote the upcoming
1-15     round-up, an exhibit is planned in the Capitol rotunda on
1-16     February 17; and
1-17           WHEREAS, The round-up is accompanied by a number of
1-18     activities that take place over a three-day period, including
1-19     the Rattlesnake Run, the Rattlesnake Review Parade, and the
1-20     Miss Snake Charmer Beauty Contest, in which contestants compete
1-21     for college scholarships donated by the Jaycees; and
1-22           WHEREAS, The Sweetwater Jaycees have been sponsoring the
1-23     round-up since it began in 1958, and the event's proceeds help to
1-24     support the local charities and youth programs, as well as the
 2-1     Sunshine Inn, a learning center for the mentally handicapped; and
 2-2           WHEREAS, The Sweetwater Rattlesnake Round-Up is an
 2-3     internationally acclaimed event that attracts thousands of people
 2-4     who participate in the round-up or who simply attend to enjoy the
 2-5     activities and the thrill of observing first-hand these live and
 2-6     dangerous reptiles; and
 2-7           WHEREAS, The round-up also provides an opportunity for
 2-8     visitors to witness the milking techniques used by snake handlers
 2-9     to extract the snakes' venom; the venom has proved useful in the
2-10     research of cancer and can be used as an antidote to snakebite;
2-11     now, therefore, be it
2-12           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
2-13     76th Legislature, hereby commend the participants in the
2-14     Sweetwater Rattlesnake Round-Up and extend appreciation to the
2-15     Sweetwater Jaycees for sponsoring this popular event; and, be it
2-16     further
2-17           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
2-18     the 1999 round-up as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
2-19                                                                  Fraser
2-20                                  ______________________________________
2-21                                          President of the Senate
2-22                                       I hereby certify that the above
2-23                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
2-24                                  on February 16, 1999.
2-25                                  ______________________________________
2-26                                          Secretary of the Senate
2-27                                  ______________________________________
2-28                                           Member, Texas Senate