1-1                                     1
 1-2                         SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1113
 1-3           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is proud to
 1-4     recognize the 25th anniversary of the Independent Cattlemen's
 1-5     Association of Texas; and
 1-6           WHEREAS, Since its creation at Goliad, the Independent
 1-7     Cattlemen's Association has burgeoned from its original 17 rancher
 1-8     members to include thousands of Texans across the state; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, Working from the county level, the Independent
1-10     Cattlemen's Association seeks to represent, not only big and
1-11     little cow-calf producers, but also registered breeders and
1-12     commercial cow-calf producers; additionally, the association
1-13     supports related agribusinesses such as market operators, bankers,
1-14     equipment suppliers, feed dealers, and many other small businesses
1-15     which are vital to the cattle industry; and
1-16           WHEREAS, This broad-based coalition serves to monitor the
1-17     industry environment, promote free enterprise, improve marketing,
1-18     increase agricultural research, and protect the rights of property
1-19     owners; the association also hopes to improve beef promotion
1-20     through a voluntary beef check-off program; finally, members
1-21     provide for the future leaders of their industry by granting
 2-1     youth scholarships; and
 2-2           WHEREAS, The Independent Cattlemen's Association ensures the
 2-3     integrity of its industry and product; it was the first to decry
 2-4     hidden flaws in the Central Texas Rare Species Conservation Plan;
 2-5     also, the association exposed and thwarted plans to bring more than
 2-6     5,000 head of Australian feeder cattle into Texas via Mexico; and
 2-7           WHEREAS, The association works not only to maintain its
 2-8     product's quality, but also to ensure its members an equitable
 2-9     economic environment in which to sell their wares; the group
2-10     called for the imposition of countervailing duties on unfair
2-11     subsidies received by Canadian cattle; and the association was
2-12     the only group in Texas to join a national cattlemen's coalition
2-13     which successfully petitioned the International Trade Commission
2-14     to launch an investigation into unfair live Canadian slaughter and
2-15     Mexican feeder cattle imports; and
2-16           WHEREAS, The Independent Cattlemen's Association of Texas
2-17     is truly a grassroots organization, existing solely on voluntary
2-18     efforts and donations of its dedicated members; all who work to
2-19     achieve the goals of the Independent Cattlemen's Association share
2-20     a common purpose which provides for both the welfare of cattle
2-21     producers and the country at large; now, therefore, be it
2-22           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
2-23     76th Legislature, hereby recognize and congratulate the members
2-24     of the Independent Cattlemen's Association of Texas on its
 3-1     25th anniversary; and, be it further
 3-2           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the
 3-3     association to mark this auspicious occasion.
 3-4                                                                   Ogden
 3-5                                  ______________________________________
 3-6                                          President of the Senate
 3-7                                       I hereby certify that the above
 3-8                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
 3-9                                  on May 26, 1999.
3-10                                  ______________________________________
3-11                                          Secretary of the Senate
3-12                                  ______________________________________
3-13                                           Member, Texas Senate