By West H.C.R. No. 42 77R2915 MMS-D HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, The jackrabbit is one of the enduring symbols of the 1-2 American West, and it often figures in the folklore, stories, and 1-3 images of West Texas; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Taking its name from its burro-like ears, the 1-5 jackrabbit is endowed with protective coloration, which allows it 1-6 to blend in with sand and dry grass, and with exceedingly long 1-7 legs, which enable it to run at speeds up to 45 miles an hour; and 1-8 WHEREAS, The jackrabbit supplied the plains Indians with food 1-9 and fur, and became a source of meat for settlers in times of 1-10 drought and depression; and 1-11 WHEREAS, The jackrabbit's swiftness presented an irresistible 1-12 challenge to cowboys, who would try out their lassoing talents on 1-13 the animals as they sprinted across the prairie; and 1-14 WHEREAS, Capitalizing on the running prowess of this local 1-15 denizen, the American Legion introduced a jackrabbit-roping contest 1-16 at its annual Memorial Day Rodeo in Odessa in 1932; and 1-17 WHEREAS, The first roping contest was reportedly won by 1-18 Sheriff Arden Ross of Loving County, whose winning time was bested 1-19 the following year by cowgirl Grace Hendricks, a deft roper who 1-20 corralled her rabbit in five seconds flat; Ms. Hendricks later 1-21 served as the first woman justice of the peace in Ector County; and 1-22 WHEREAS, The contest was revived for one year in 1977 and won 1-23 by Jack Torian with a time of six seconds; and 1-24 WHEREAS, Today Odessa's jackrabbit-roping heritage is 2-1 commemorated in markers erected by the Texas Historical Commission 2-2 and by the Heritage of Odessa Foundation; a 10-foot statue of a 2-3 jackrabbit stands at the school administration building, where it 2-4 has been photographed by countless tourists; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Odessa's roping competitions not only displayed the 2-6 talent of the men and women who participated, a skill that was 2-7 emblematic of this ranching society, but brought together two icons 2-8 of the West, the jackrabbit and the cowboy, both of whom evoked the 2-9 hardiness and adaptability required of all who made this rugged 2-10 land their home; and 2-11 WHEREAS, At the dawn of a new century, the proud residents of 2-12 Odessa still embody and honor these defining characteristics; now, 2-13 therefore, be it 2-14 RESOLVED, That the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-15 hereby declare Odessa the Jackrabbit-Roping Capital of Texas; and, 2-16 be it further 2-17 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-18 prepared for the city of Odessa in recognition of the community's 2-19 special designation.