H.R. No. 78 


R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The history of the Lone Star State has been richly influenced by family farming and ranching, and the Haynes family of McMullen County has now been officially recognized as heirs to this proud tradition with the acceptance of the Donald Haynes and Son Ranch into the Texas Family Land Heritage Program; and WHEREAS, The Family Land Heritage Program recognizes farms and ranches that have been in continuous agricultural operation by the same family for a century or more, and in reaching this remarkable milestone, the Haynes ranch has secured its stature in Texas ranching history; and WHEREAS, Purchased by Ralph Franklin in the early 1880s, the 5,000-acre property was originally a part of Confederate Scrip No. 1497; Mr. Franklin and his family, including his wife, Minerva, and their 12 children, raised cattle on the land; and WHEREAS, Over the ensuing years, the property was passed down through generations of Mr. Franklin's descendants, from his son, Tom, to his granddaughters, Rosemary Franklin Haynes and Charlie Ann Franklin Austin; Rosemary Haynes acquired her 884-acre share of the ranch in 1964, and together with her husband, Donald, she raised cattle and participated in soil conservation; today, she also raises coastal Bermuda grass on the land and continues a family tradition of agricultural excellence alongside her son, Donald Haynes, Jr., and her daughter, Mary Catherine Haynes Kessler; and WHEREAS, The rewarding but challenging work of running a sustainable agricultural operation is not only a valuable service to the community but a vital link to the rich and colorful history that has made the Lone Star State what it is today, and the Haynes family continues to contribute immeasurably to this fine tradition; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby congratulate Rosemary Haynes and her children on the inclusion of the Donald Haynes and Son Ranch into the Texas Family Land Heritage Program and extend to them sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the Haynes family as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Gonzalez Toureilles ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 78 was adopted by the House on April 27, 2006, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House