78R14573 KMP-D

By:  Lucio                                                      S.C.R. No. 51 



CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, In 2003, King Ranch celebrates its 150th 
anniversary, and this presents a welcome opportunity for the Texas 
Legislature to honor a uniquely Texan institution the history of 
which since 1853 has both followed and shaped that of the Lone Star 
State itself; and
	WHEREAS, King Ranch has been called the birthplace of 
American ranching and is firmly established as an industry leader 
through its innovative cattle and horse breeding program, which 
once produced the first truly American breed of beef cattle; home to 
the first registered quarter horse and to our state's only Triple 
Crown winner, the ranch and its Running W brand are enduring icons 
of the American West; and
	WHEREAS, Throughout its long and storied history, King Ranch 
has contributed significantly to the development of South Texas by 
drilling the first artesian wells in the area, investing in key 
railway lines and seaports, and contributing to civic and 
charitable organizations in Kingsville, Corpus Christi, and other 
nearby communities; the men and women who contributed to the 
success of the Running W brand have been true pioneers, exhibiting 
boldness and determination in their mastery of the rugged South 
Texas environment and exemplifying the spirit of generosity and 
ambition for which the Lone Star State is renowned; and
	WHEREAS, Encompassing more than 825,000 acres, King Ranch is 
still one of the largest cattle ranches in the United States, and 
its continued existence as an intact geographic area is a testament 
to the longstanding commitment of the members of the King family and 
to the sacrifices they have made; the demands of a growing American 
population, in combination with modern property and probate 
taxation policies, have continued to erode our nation's once vast 
open spaces, and the King Ranch has defied the odds, preserving one 
of the country's largest single areas of undeveloped private land 
and promoting the practice of responsible wildlife management; and
	WHEREAS, A pioneer in cotton production and cultivation, King 
Ranch has diversified its interests from ranching into many other 
areas of agribusiness; every year, this remarkable enterprise 
produces 600,000 tons of sugar and 120 million square-feet of sod 
and, as the largest citrus operation in the country, it also 
produces 16 million boxes of oranges as well as a million boxes of 
specialty fruit; and
	WHEREAS, In addition to its fame as a commercial operation, 
King Ranch is known throughout Texas ranching, farming, and 
environmental circles for its longtime support of important 
educational and research projects related to agriculture; as this 
Texas landmark celebrates its sesquicentennial this year, it has 
chosen to continue this tradition through the creation of a truly 
extraordinary gift to the citizens of Texas, the King Ranch 
Institute for Ranch Management at Texas A&M University-Kingsville; 
and
	WHEREAS, From the early cattle drives of 1853 to the creation 
of new educational opportunities in ranch management, the King 
Ranch Family and the Kineños--the "King's People"--have carved out 
a significant place in our state's rich and diverse history; the 
ranch and its employees have made invaluable contributions to the 
culture, heritage, and economy of the State of Texas, and we join 
together today to pay tribute to the past, present, and future 
success of this true Lone Star legend; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas 
hereby congratulate King Ranch on the occasion of its 
sesquicentennial and extend to its owners and employees best wishes 
for continued success; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for King Ranch as an expression of high regard by the Texas 
Senate and House of Representatives.