H.R. No. 79 



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The Family Land Heritage Program, a project of the 
Texas Department of Agriculture, recognizes farms and ranches that 
have been owned and operated by the same family for a century or 
more, and the Zowarka Z Cross Ranch has been accepted for inclusion 
in this distinguished roster; and
	WHEREAS, John Gualbert Zowarka, a native of Victoria, 
established the ranch in 1898, when he bought 1,250 acres in Bee 
County from P. S. Clare; Mr. Zowarka lived on his homestead in 
Beeville with his wife, Mary, and their eight children, and every 
day he rode his horse some seven miles to the ranch, where he raised 
cattle, sheep, broomcorn, and hay; this enterprising gentleman also 
established a meat market that provided beef to the surrounding 
community; and
	WHEREAS, Following Mr. Zowarka's death in 1944, the ranch was 
divided evenly among his children; a son, George, worked on the 
property, raising corn, sorghum, cattle, sheep, hogs, and coastal 
grass; when he passed away in 1980, the land passed to his nephew, 
Raymond C. Zowarka, Sr., and his wife, Mary Lou; that couple had six 
children: Bobbie Jo Zowarka Hill, Raymond Zowarka, Jr., Melanie 
Zowarka Crosier, Laura Lou Zowarka Menn, Wendy E. Zowarka Juranek, 
and Paula Zowarka Ivy; and
	WHEREAS, In 1997, when Raymond Zowarka, Sr., died, his wife 
kept the house and eight acres, while the remainder of their land 
went to their son, Raymond; a senior research scientist at The 
University of Texas at Austin for 31 years before his retirement in 
2002, Mr. Zowarka operates the ranch with the help of his sister 
Bobbie, who lives on the property; currently, they raise winter 
oats and coastal hay for feeding the cattle; and
	WHEREAS, Laura Lou Menn and Wendy Juranek also continue to 
live on the land, together with their husbands, Jimmy Menn, Sr., and 
Phillip Juranek, and their children, Jimmy and Jake Menn and 
Madelyn, Daniel, and Megan Juranek; these 
great-great-grandchildren of the founder are all involved in 4-H 
and FFA; and
	WHEREAS, Paula Ivy, her husband, Bobby, and the couple's 
three children, Robby, Clay, and Blake, also work the ranch, 
raising cattle on their acreage; and
	WHEREAS, Although a large tract of land was earlier sold out 
of the family, Raymond Zowarka, Jr., and Wendy and Phillip Juranek 
have bought back more than 300 acres of that parcel and are working 
to acquire the remaining acreage; and
	WHEREAS, Through their skill, love of the land, and 
unyielding tenacity, John Zowarka, his descendants, and their 
families have made a notable contribution to agriculture in Bee 
County and to the great ranching and farming tradition of the Lone 
Star State; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby congratulate all those 
associated with the Zowarka Z Cross Ranch on the recognition 
accorded it by the Family Land Heritage Program of the Texas 
Department of Agriculture and that they be extended sincere best 
wishes for continued success; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the extended Zowarka 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. 79 was adopted by the House on April 
27, 2006, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House