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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The year 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of the Muy |
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Grande Deer Contest in Freer, one of the state's pioneering hunting |
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competitions; and |
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WHEREAS, Muy Grande got its start in the 1960s, when Leonel |
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Garza, the manager of the Center Circle Gas Station in Freer, helped |
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a stranded outdoor sports writer whose truck had become stuck in the |
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mud outside town; the journalist went on to write an article about |
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the experience for the Victoria Advocate, and the story was |
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subsequently picked up by newspapers throughout the state; in 1965, |
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to capitalize on his newfound fame, Mr. Garza established the Muy |
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Grande Deer Contest, which was initially a small one-category |
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competition hosted in the gas station with a makeshift prize, |
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Mr. Garza's own wristwatch; and |
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WHEREAS, The contest became an annual tradition and inspired |
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the creation of many other hunting competitions in Texas; its |
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popularity led to the gas station being renamed the Muy Grande |
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Hunting Village, and in 2008 the store moved to a new, larger |
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building to keep up with the increased demand for its services; |
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today, the contest attracts hunters from all across Texas and the |
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United States, who compete in a wide range of categories divided by |
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age, gender, and hunting location; and |
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WHEREAS, The Muy Grande Deer Contest plays a significant role |
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in the local economy, focusing attention on the town and boosting |
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commerce in addition to generally promoting the area's outstanding |
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hunting opportunities; the event also gives back to the community |
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by funding scholarships that are awarded to local high school |
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students during the Muy Grande awards banquet; and |
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WHEREAS, For the past half-century, the Muy Grande Deer |
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Contest has served as a cultural cornerstone for residents of South |
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Texas and a much-anticipated gathering for hunting enthusiasts |
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throughout the nation, and it is indeed deserving of recognition on |
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the event of this milestone in its history; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Muy |
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Grande Deer Contest and extend sincere best wishes to all those |
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associated with the event; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the contest as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |