By King of Uvalde H.R. No. 793 77R12545 MJS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Mary Nan West on January 1, 2001, at 1-2 the age of 75, has brought a profound sense of loss not only to the 1-3 family and friends of this esteemed woman, but also to citizens 1-4 throughout San Antonio and in Zavala County; and 1-5 WHEREAS, A legendary South Texas rancher who began overseeing 1-6 operations on her grandparents' Rafter S Ranch when she was 18, 1-7 Ms. West chaired the San Antonio Livestock Exposition for almost 20 1-8 years; under her stewardship, the 16-day annual event became one of 1-9 the largest of its kind, with about 3,000 volunteers and drawing 1-10 approximately one million visitors each year; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Ms. West established the Stock Show and Rodeo's 1-12 scholarship program in 1984, and the program has awarded more than 1-13 $8 million in scholarships, grants, and endowments to Texas 1-14 students pursuing an education in agriculture; she also took great 1-15 pride in helping to turn the rodeo into a popular, family-oriented 1-16 event in the San Antonio area; and 1-17 WHEREAS, This pioneering woman made significant contributions 1-18 in numerous ways; she was the first woman to chair the Texas A&M 1-19 University System's Board of Regents and to serve as president of 1-20 the Alamo Quarter Horse Breeders Association; other notable firsts 1-21 included being the first woman to serve on the board of trustees of 1-22 the Marine Military Academy and on the Texas Animal Health 1-23 Commission; and 1-24 WHEREAS, Her impressive record of service earned Ms. West the 2-1 singular distinction of being the first female ever to receive the 2-2 Exchange Club of San Antonio's Golden Deed Award; moreover, she was 2-3 chosen as the Texas County Agricultural Agents Association's Man of 2-4 the Year in 1988 and also was inducted into the National Cowgirl 2-5 Hall of Fame in Fort Worth; and 2-6 WHEREAS, Known for her frankness and determination, Ms. West 2-7 was a civic leader who succeeded by doing things her own way, and 2-8 although she will be deeply missed, her bright spirit and enduring 2-9 legacy will live on in the memories of all those whose lives she 2-10 touched; now, therefore, be it 2-11 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-12 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Mary Nan West and 2-13 extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family: to her two 2-14 daughters and their husbands, Mary West Traylor and her husband, 2-15 Richard Traylor, and Robbie Bodden and her husband, Dr. Vernie D. 2-16 Bodden, Jr.; to her grandchildren and their spouses; to her 11 2-17 great-grandchildren; and to her other relatives, friends, and 2-18 colleagues; and, be it further 2-19 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-20 prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of 2-21 Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Mary Nan 2-22 West.