1-1     By:  King (Senate Sponsor - Wentworth)               H.C.R. No. 267
 1-2           (In the Senate - Received from the House May 11, 2001;
 1-3     May 11, 2001, read first time and referred to Committee on
 1-4     Administration; May 11, 2001, reported favorably by the following
 1-5     vote:  Yeas 3, Nays 0; May 11, 2001, sent to printer.)
 1-6                         HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 1-7           WHEREAS, The passing of Mary Nan West on January 1, 2001, at
 1-8     the age of 75, has brought a profound sense of loss not only to the
 1-9     family and friends of this esteemed woman, but also to citizens
1-10     throughout San Antonio and in Zavala County; and
1-11           WHEREAS, A legendary South Texas rancher who began overseeing
1-12     operations on her grandparents' Rafter S Ranch when she was 18,
1-13     Ms. West chaired the San Antonio Livestock Exposition for almost 20
1-14     years; under her stewardship, the 16-day annual event became one of
1-15     the largest of its kind, with about 3,000 volunteers and drawing
1-16     approximately one million visitors each year; and
1-17           WHEREAS, Ms. West established the Stock Show and Rodeo's
1-18     scholarship program in 1984, and the program has awarded more than
1-19     $8 million in scholarships, grants, and endowments to Texas
1-20     students pursuing an education in agriculture; she also took great
1-21     pride in helping to turn the rodeo into a popular, family-oriented
1-22     event in the San Antonio area; and
1-23           WHEREAS, This pioneering woman made significant contributions
1-24     in numerous ways; she was the first woman to chair the Texas A&M
1-25     University System's Board of Regents and to serve as president of
1-26     the Alamo Quarter Horse Breeders Association; other notable firsts
1-27     included being the first woman to serve on the board of trustees of
1-28     the Marine Military Academy and on the Texas Animal Health
1-29     Commission; and
1-30           WHEREAS, Her impressive record of service earned Ms. West the
1-31     singular distinction of being the first female ever to receive the
1-32     Exchange Club of San Antonio's Golden Deed Award; moreover, she was
1-33     chosen as the Texas County Agricultural Agents Association's Man of
1-34     the Year in 1988 and also was inducted into the National Cowgirl
1-35     Hall of Fame in Fort Worth; and
1-36           WHEREAS, Known for her frankness and determination, Ms. West
1-37     was a civic leader who succeeded by doing things her own way, and
1-38     although she will be deeply missed, her bright spirit and enduring
1-39     legacy will live on in the memories of all those whose lives she
1-40     touched; now, therefore, be it
1-41           RESOLVED, That the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas
1-42     hereby pay tribute to the life of Mary Nan West and extend sincere
1-43     sympathy to the members of her family: to her two daughters and
1-44     their husbands, Mary West Traylor and her husband, Richard Traylor,
1-45     and Robbie Bodden and her husband, Dr. Vernie D. Bodden, Jr.; to
1-46     her grandchildren and their spouses; to her 11 great-grandchildren;
1-47     and to her other relatives, friends, and colleagues; and, be it
1-48     further
1-49           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
1-50     prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of
1-51     Representatives  and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory
1-52     of Mary Nan West.
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