1-1     By:  West (Senate Sponsor - Bivins)                   H.C.R. No. 42
 1-2           (In the Senate - Received from the House February 6, 2001;
 1-3     February 7, 2001, read first time and referred to Committee on
 1-4     Administration; February 27, 2001, reported favorably by the
 1-5     following vote:  Yeas 5, Nays 0; February 27, 2001, sent to
 1-6     printer.)
 1-7                         HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 1-8           WHEREAS, The jackrabbit is one of the enduring symbols of the
 1-9     American West, and it often figures in the folklore, stories, and
1-10     images of West Texas; and
1-11           WHEREAS, Taking its name from its burro-like ears, the
1-12     jackrabbit is endowed with protective coloration, which allows it
1-13     to blend in with sand and dry grass, and with exceedingly long
1-14     legs, which enable it to run at speeds up to 45 miles an hour; and
1-15           WHEREAS, The jackrabbit supplied the plains Indians with food
1-16     and fur, and became a source of meat for settlers in times of
1-17     drought and depression; and
1-18           WHEREAS, The jackrabbit's swiftness presented an irresistible
1-19     challenge to cowboys, who would try out their lassoing talents on
1-20     the animals as they sprinted across the prairie; and
1-21           WHEREAS, Capitalizing on the running prowess of this local
1-22     denizen, the American Legion introduced a jackrabbit-roping contest
1-23     at its annual Memorial Day Rodeo in Odessa in 1932; and
1-24           WHEREAS, The first roping contest was reportedly won by
1-25     Sheriff Arden Ross of Loving County, whose winning time was bested
1-26     the following year by cowgirl Grace Hendricks, a deft roper who
1-27     corralled her rabbit in five seconds flat; Ms. Hendricks later
1-28     served as the first woman justice of the peace in Ector County; and
1-29           WHEREAS, The contest was revived for one year in 1977 and won
1-30     by Jack Torian with a time of six seconds; and
1-31           WHEREAS, Today Odessa's jackrabbit-roping heritage is
1-32     commemorated in markers erected by the Texas Historical Commission
1-33     and by the Heritage of Odessa Foundation; a 10-foot statue of a
1-34     jackrabbit stands at the school administration building, where it
1-35     has been photographed by countless tourists; and
1-36           WHEREAS, Odessa's roping competitions not only displayed the
1-37     talent of the men and women who participated, a skill that was
1-38     emblematic of this ranching society, but brought together two icons
1-39     of the West, the jackrabbit and the cowboy, both of whom evoked the
1-40     hardiness and adaptability required of all who made this rugged
1-41     land their home; and
1-42           WHEREAS, At the dawn of a new century, the proud residents of
1-43     Odessa still embody and honor these defining characteristics; now,
1-44     therefore, be it
1-45           RESOLVED, That the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas
1-46     hereby declare Odessa the Jackrabbit-Roping Capital of Texas; and,
1-47     be it further
1-48           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
1-49     prepared for the city of Odessa in recognition of the community's
1-50     special designation.
1-51                                  * * * * *