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By:  Geren                                                        H.R. No. 940



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The House of Representatives of the State of Texas 
takes pleasure in joining citizens across the state in 
congratulating Russell Don "Red" Steagall on his induction into the 
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum's prestigious Hall of 
Great Westerners; and
	WHEREAS, Red Steagall will be honored at the museum's 42nd 
Western Heritage Awards ceremonies on April 12, 2003; through his 
induction into the Hall of Great Westerners, he will join other 
writers, poets, explorers, Native American leaders, and statesmen 
who represent the heart and spirit of America's western heritage; 
and
	WHEREAS, Red will also receive the 2002 Wrangler Award for 
his album, Wagon Tracks; it will be the fifth Wrangler Award he has 
received for original songs and traditional western albums; and
	WHEREAS, Red grew up in the Texas panhandle and earned a 
degree in animal science from West Texas State University, which 
serves him well in his quarter horse operation on his ranch west of 
Fort Worth; and
	WHEREAS, While in college, Red formed a band and started 
playing at rodeo dances on the weekends; he eventually formed a 
publishing company with Jimmy Bowen; he moved to Hollywood in the 
1960s, and he and Don Lanier penned the song "Here We Go Again," 
which was recorded by Ray Charles; Red regards the recording of that 
song as the turning point in his professional career; and
	WHEREAS, In 1970, Red recorded "Party Dolls and Wine," the 
first of his many hits; he takes pride in proclaiming his songs are 
lyric oriented and that they tell the true story of the 
cowboy--someone who makes his living on horseback and with the land 
and who is dedicated to his way of life; and
	WHEREAS, As a songwriter, Red has had more than 200 
compositions recorded, and has released 26 consecutive records on 
the national charts and 20 albums; he has published two books 
embracing the Western lifestyle and has appeared in a number of 
movies; he has also appeared on numerous television shows and 
performed in Las Vegas and Reno; and
	WHEREAS, An exemplary gentleman and a highly acclaimed 
writer, performer, and rancher, Red Steagall has spent his life 
preserving and interpreting the cowboy traditions; the Texas 
Legislature in 1991 proclaimed him the official Cowboy Poet of 
Texas; and
	WHEREAS, The master cowboy storyteller has used his music to 
convey his heartfelt love for a people and a way of life that will 
continue to exist as long as poets and dreamers, men of character 
and honor like himself, perpetuate the West in story and song; now 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the State of 
Texas, 78th Legislature, hereby commend Russell Don Steagall for 
his exceptional talent and many achievements and extend 
congratulations to him for his induction into the Hall of Great 
Westerners at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum; and, 
be it further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for him 
as an expression of highest esteem from the Texas House of 
Representatives.