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.