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. 1-53 * * * * *