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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Brazoria County and the State of Texas lost a |
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beloved resident and true cowboy with the passing of Edward L. Cole |
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of Sweeny on April 10, 2009, at the age of 78; and |
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WHEREAS, Born on May 23, 1930, in Alvin, Mr. Cole began a long |
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and successful rodeo career at the age of 16; in 1950, he won his |
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first bull riding title in the Southwestern Rodeo Association and |
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was named runner-up for the all-around title; the following year, |
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he earned both titles; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Cole interrupted his college studies to serve |
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with the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict; after returning to |
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civilian life, he continued his rodeo career and began |
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participating in bronc riding and steer wrestling events; and |
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WHEREAS, This noteworthy Texan set records until his |
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retirement in 1971; during the course of his two decades with the |
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Southwestern Rodeo Association, he won 9 All-Around Cowboy titles |
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and 23 individual titles in bull riding, steer wrestling, and bronc |
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riding; he was also runner-up for All-Around Cowboy 11 times, and in |
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2004, he was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in |
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Belton; and |
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WHEREAS, For many years, Mr. Cole was employed as the ranch |
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foreman of the T-Diamond Ranch in West Columbia, where he also |
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assisted with rodeos held at the facility; he went on to establish |
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his own ranch in Brazoria County; in addition to raising crossbred |
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cattle and horses, he shared his time with the Brazoria County Fair |
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Association; and |
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WHEREAS, Affectionately called "Mr. Ed," Edward Cole was a |
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Lone Star rodeo legend who embodied the cowboy spirit; although he |
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is deeply missed, he will long be remembered with admiration and |
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affection by those who were fortunate enough to have known him; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Edward L. Cole and |
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extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, |
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Helen Cole; to his sons, Larry Cole and his wife, Laura, Mike Cole |
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and his wife, Debbie, and Richard Cole; to his daughter, Linda |
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Moody, and her husband, Karl; to his 10 grandchildren and 8 |
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great-grandchildren; and to his other relatives and friends; and, |
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be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Edward L. |
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Cole. |