By Keffer H.C.R. No. 31 77R2151 WMS-D HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, For its unique characteristics and noteworthy status 1-2 as a threatened species, the Texas horned lizard was officially 1-3 designated the State Reptile with the passage of House Concurrent 1-4 Resolution 141 by the 73rd Texas Legislature; and 1-5 WHEREAS, The Texas horned lizard, Phrynosoma cornutum, is 1-6 variously known as a horned toad, horny toad, and horned frog, and 1-7 while these creatures stand out as a species for their 1-8 distinctive-looking features, one horned toad in particular has 1-9 captured the hearts of many Texans, that being Eastland's Old Rip; 1-10 and 1-11 WHEREAS, Old Rip was placed inside a cornerstone during the 1-12 1897 dedication of the Eastland County courthouse, and there he 1-13 slept peacefully until February 18, 1928, when the courthouse was 1-14 demolished to make way for new construction; and 1-15 WHEREAS, On hand to witness Old Rip's serendipitous return to 1-16 light after 31 years of darkness were 3,000 Eastland residents, in 1-17 ceremonies presided over by a pastor, a judge, and an oilman; the 1-18 crowd cheered as Old Rip was held aloft, his earnest wiggling 1-19 viable proof of the little lizard's stamina and determination; and 1-20 WHEREAS, Old Rip's story made him a celebrity; he was 1-21 exhibited in various parts of the country and even made a visit to 1-22 be viewed by President Calvin Coolidge in Washington, D.C.; sadly, 1-23 the Eastland hero died of pneumonia on January 19, 1929, though his 1-24 body was embalmed and can still be seen today in a plush lined 2-1 casket in the lobby of the Eastland County courthouse; and 2-2 WHEREAS, To honor the enduring spirit of Old Rip and to 2-3 perpetuate the telling of his story to future generations, Eastland 2-4 County residents have commissioned a large iron statue of a horned 2-5 toad for permanent display in the county seat; and 2-6 WHEREAS, Distinguished as a fitting symbol of Texas, the 2-7 horned toad has rightfully earned a place in Lone Star lore, and 2-8 the many fine citizens of Eastland have indeed proven their 2-9 commitment to increasing the public's awareness of and interest in 2-10 this singular Texas icon; now, therefore, be it 2-11 RESOLVED, That the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-12 hereby designate Eastland as the official home of "Old Rip--The 2-13 Most Famous Horned Toad in Texas" and warmly welcome to Austin the 2-14 delegation of Eastland citizens visiting on this auspicious 2-15 occasion.