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H.R. No. 1672
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, In every nation across the globe, the cowboy boot is
universally recognized as a symbol of the Lone Star State, an icon
that captures perfectly both the historical romance of the Old West
and the enduring reputation of our citizens as bold, independent
trailblazers; in Texas, custom-made cowboy boots are considered as
fashionable as they are functional, and they can be found on the
feet of ranchers and cattle drivers, of grooms on their wedding day,
and, for the past 20 years, of well-heeled legislators and
legislative employees who tread the carpets and floors of the Texas
State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, In 1983, State Senator John T. Montford launched a
legislative tradition in the Lone Star State that has continued to
this day, the wearing of finely crafted cowboy boots embellished
with Texas state seals and symbols; and
WHEREAS, At first this custom was observed by only a handful
of senate committee members and by Senator Montford's own staff;
one of these enthusiastic participants was Virginia Carter, the
future wife of State Representative Bill Carter, and together the
couple introduced this fancy footwear to the chamber and hallways
of the house of representatives; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of the past two decades, several of
the world's leading bootmakers have contributed their time and
considerable skill toward the design and manufacture of boots that
are proudly worn by members, both current and former, of the
legislative community; these wearable works of art are indeed a
testament to the talent and dedication of such craftsmen as Bobby
Austin, the original legislative bootmaker at Dan Post Boots in El
Paso, and Harry Henze, Jr., the nationally renowned artisan at
Bunkhouse Boots who this year has added handstitched detailing to
the footwear of the 78th Legislature; and
WHEREAS, Uniting the technology of the present with the
intricate leatherwork of the past, every pair of legislative cowboy
boots is ornamented with the official house or senate seal and,
optionally, with the owner's name; more importantly, every pair is
destined to be a deeply meaningful memento of the owner's time as a
public servant and an example of American folk art that preserves
and pays tribute to the Lone Star State's incomparable style,
spirit, and beauty; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the 20th anniversary of our state's
legislative cowboy boot tradition and extend sincere appreciation
to all those who have designed, created, and crafted these unique
boots for the legislative community since 1983.
Allen
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1672 was adopted by the House on May
30, 2003, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House