78R11754 JH-D

By:  Cook of Navarro                                              H.R. No. 785



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The Family Land Heritage Program of the Texas 
Department of Agriculture honors properties in Texas that have been 
owned by the same family and agriculturally productive for more 
than a century, and this year Ridgway Farms joins this 
distinguished roster of Texas properties; and
	WHEREAS, Located in Navarro County, this historical property 
was purchased on February 19, 1895, by Martha M. Gay, who used it to 
maintain a few milk cows as well as to raise cotton and corn; Mrs. 
Gay's great-granddaughter, Ruth, assumed ownership of the land in 
1951, and with the help of her husband, Jeff Henderson, the couple 
added 734 acres to the original tract of land and produced cotton, 
corn, wheat, oats, and haygrazer and raised cattle for many years; 
and
	WHEREAS, Their daughter, Naomi Ridgway, now owns the family 
land, and she and her husband, Billy Joe Ridgway, have expanded the 
homestead to include another 496 acres; and
	WHEREAS, The role of the family farm in Texas history is 
significant, and it is most appropriate that Martha M. Gay and her 
descendants be honored for their enduring contributions to the Lone 
Star State; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby congratulate Naomi Ridgway on the acceptance of 
Ridgway Farms into the Family Land Heritage Program of the Texas 
Department of Agriculture; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Mrs. Ridgway as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.