79R14738 MAM-D

By:  Olivo                                                        H.R. No. 1455



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Legendary bull rider Willie Thomas of Booth was 
inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame at a ceremony in 
Temple on February 14, 2004; and
	WHEREAS, A pioneer for African American cowboys across the 
country, Mr. Thomas, who faced years of discrimination during the 
segregated 1950s with grace, humility, and strength, was one of six 
inductees into the hall of fame and was nominated for the National 
Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum's Rodeo Hall of Fame in Oklahoma 
City, Oklahoma, in 2004; and
	WHEREAS, Born on January 30, 1930, in Richmond, Willie Thomas 
was raised on the A. P. George Ranch and eventually became a working 
cowboy who paid his dues running the cattle farm with his parents, 
Johnny and Josephine Thomas; in 1952, he participated in his first 
Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association competition in San Antonio, 
and from there, he embarked on a 30-year career during which he won 
more than 20 belt buckles, including the 1968 all-around title of 
the Southwestern National Cowboy Association, and 25 saddles, rode 
more than 4,000 bulls, and landed top rankings in the world; and
	WHEREAS, This esteemed cowboy rode with renowned riders such 
as Harold Cash, Jim Shoulders, Freckles Brown, and Clyde Frost, 
father of Lane Frost, a world-famous bull rider whose life story is 
featured in a film titled 8 Seconds, and he was president of the 
Southwestern National Cowboy Association; and
	WHEREAS, His accomplishments are especially impressive 
considering the great obstacles placed in his way throughout his 
career, including racist rodeo officials who prevented him from 
competing because of the color of his skin; on one occasion, Mr. 
Thomas pulled his hat over his eyes, concealed his face, and won a 
bull riding competition in Lake Charles, Louisiana, only to be 
stripped of his winnings and escorted from town when the judges 
discovered he was African American; and
	WHEREAS, At the age of nine, Willie Thomas had an accident at 
the George Ranch that left him with a prosthetic eye; he has also 
broken his leg nine times and been told twice he would never walk 
again; despite these setbacks, Mr. Thomas persevered and pursued 
his dream to become one of the best bull riders in the history of the 
sport; and
	WHEREAS, With a large and loving family that includes his 
wife, Ora Lee, their nine children, Sandra Pipkin, Dwight Thomas, 
Glen Thomas, Vicki Meriwether, Berkley Thomas, Willie Thomas, Jr., 
Myron Thomas, Rodney Thomas, and Sharee Thomas, and 25 
grandchildren, Mr. Thomas worked for the Texas Department of 
Transportation for many years before retiring in August of 1991; 
today, he hosts popular trail rides on his farm, promoting a 
community spirit in Fort Bend County; in addition to being inducted 
into the Texas hall of fame, he was recognized by the George Ranch, 
which hosted a reception in his honor; and
	WHEREAS, Truly a trailblazer as well as a man of exceptional 
abilities, Willie Thomas opened doors for generations of African 
Americans by integrating rodeos in Texas and beyond; it is truly a 
pleasure to pay tribute to his impressive accomplishments, notable 
rodeo career, and unwavering strength of spirit; now, therefore, be 
it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby congratulate Willie Thomas of Booth on his 
induction into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame and extend to him 
sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Mr. Thomas as an expression of high regard by the Texas 
House of Representatives.