By West                                                H.R. No. 132
         77R4509 MMS-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 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 House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-15     Legislature  hereby  recognize Odessa as the Jackrabbit-Roping
2-16     Capital of Texas; and, 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     frontier heritage.