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                                                                  H.R. No. 1419



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Stowers Ranch in Kerr County celebrated its 100th 
anniversary in 2004, and this important milestone has provided an 
apt occasion to reflect on the ranch's rich history as well as its 
current role in the ranching industry; and
	WHEREAS, Founded in 1904 by George Arthur Stowers as a cattle 
ranch, game management area, and hunting preserve, this 11,251-acre 
ranch is located at the headwaters of the north fork of the 
Guadalupe River, approximately 13 miles west of Hunt; remaining in 
the Stowers family for the past century, the historical property is 
now owned and managed by the three grandchildren and six 
great-grandchildren of Mr. Stowers; and
	WHEREAS, A game-proof perimeter fence, in place for more than 
98 years, has ensured a healthy whitetail deer population; in 1910, 
nonindigenous game was first introduced with the importation of 
elk; while elk are no longer on the ranch, several other exotic 
species were introduced in the 1960s, and the ranch now 
accommodates freely roaming herds of axis, fallow, and sika deer, 
aoudad, and blackbuck; and
	WHEREAS, For the past 40 years, the ranch has managed its 
pastures by following a carefully planned program of brush removal, 
time-controlled grazing, and varying stocking rates that has led to 
an aesthetically pleasing blend of open and wooded areas, a broad 
diversity of grasses and other plants, and a landscape that is 
reminiscent of the way the Texas Hill Country looked two centuries 
ago; and
	WHEREAS, Today, the ranch conducts a commercial cattle 
business and is actively engaged in commercial hunting of native 
and exotic game; in recent years, it has also become involved in 
several forms of ecotourism, including hiking, game and bird 
viewing, and ranch tours; and
	WHEREAS, The role of the family ranch in Texas history is both 
important and long-standing, and it is fitting that the descendants 
of George Arthur Stowers be lauded for their enduring contributions 
to agriculture, game conservation, and the preservation of the 
natural beauty of the Hill Country landscape; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby recognize Stowers Ranch on its 100th anniversary 
and extend to all members of the Stowers family sincere best wishes 
for continued success; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the Stowers family as an expression of high regard by 
the Texas House of Representatives.

                                                                      Hilderbran

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 1419 was adopted by the House on May 
27, 2005, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House