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