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78R19138 KMP-D

By:  Allen                                                        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.