|
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
WHEREAS, More than one town claims to be the "Cowboy Capital |
|
of the World," but Stephenville can surely strengthen its case by |
|
virtue of its status as the hometown of Whit Keeney, who has resided |
|
in Erath County for all of his 92 years and continues to embody the |
|
true spirit of pioneer Texas; and |
|
WHEREAS, A member of the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame, Mr. |
|
Keeney holds a gold card from the Professional Rodeo Cowboys |
|
Association and has won 37 trophy saddles; in addition, he won eight |
|
consecutive all-around championships at the National Old Timers |
|
Rodeo and was inducted into the Stephenville Cowboy Capital Walk of |
|
Fame in 1999; and |
|
WHEREAS, His immense skill at roping and bulldogging made a |
|
lasting impression on countless observers, among them a young |
|
neighbor; years later she vividly recalled as "almost magical" the |
|
way Mr. Keeney worked with his horse and his dogs to pen and load a |
|
Holstein bull that had attacked her grandfather and brother; Mr. |
|
Keeney also raised and trained border collies and entertained with |
|
them at rodeos; and |
|
WHEREAS, In North Central and Central Texas, several |
|
generations of youngsters grew up idolizing Mr. Keeney; they |
|
learned the cowboy trade by watching him work livestock and rope |
|
everything from a wild cow to a pig, and even a housecat or two, as |
|
easily as taking a casual sip of coffee; early in his career, he |
|
roped with Will Rogers at the Texas Cowboy Reunion, which was |
|
founded in Stamford in 1930 to preserve the cowboy way of life; |
|
still doing his part for preservation more than half a century |
|
later, Mr. Keeney could be found out in the countryside roping |
|
cattle when he was a few decades past Social Security retirement |
|
age; and |
|
WHEREAS, This quintessential Texan has been described as "a |
|
real character as well as a real cowboy," and his friends and |
|
admirers cherish his distinctive sense of humor and endearing |
|
personality; the Lone Star State takes great pride in its frontier |
|
heritage and rugged individualism, and Whit Keeney exemplifies |
|
both; now, therefore, be it |
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
|
Legislature hereby recognize Whit Keeney of Stephenville for his |
|
myriad accomplishments and extend to him sincere best wishes for |
|
continued happiness; and, be it further |
|
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
|
prepared for Mr. Keeney as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
|
House of Representatives. |
|
|
Miller of Erath |
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
Speaker of the House |
|
|
I certify that H.R. No. 985 was adopted by the House on April |
|
2, 2009, by a non-record vote. |
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
Chief Clerk of the House |
|