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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The heritage of the vaquero remains vital in South |
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Texas, and the central role this colorful and iconic figure has |
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played in the history of the Lone Star State is being celebrated |
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with Vaquero Day on June 30, 2017; and |
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WHEREAS, Renowned for their horsemanship and stock-handling |
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skills, vaqueros were crucial to the advance of Spanish ranching |
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into Texas; from the mid-18th century onward, vaqueros figured |
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significantly in the development of large, open-range cattle |
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ranches in the region between the Nueces River and the Rio Grande, |
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traces of which can still be seen on the land in the form of |
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fortified stone blockhouses, ranch outbuildings, chapels and |
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cemeteries, hand-dug wells, and the man-made reservoirs that made |
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it possible to assemble enormous herds; and |
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WHEREAS, With the expansion of the Texas cattle industry in |
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the 19th century, the vaquero's traditions shaped ranching |
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practices all across the state, and much of the vaquero's |
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equipment--his chaps, bandana, sombrero, lasso, spurs, and |
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saddle--became standard gear for all Texas cowboys, while other |
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elements of his craft, such as mounted herding and roping |
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techniques, also influenced early Anglo American practices; |
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eventually, these vaquero-inspired methods of working cattle |
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spread across the High Plains and the western part of the United |
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States; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, the proud culture of the vaquero is being |
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kept alive by such notable organizations as the Vaqueros of South |
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Texas, whose members work to preserve the vaquero tradition for |
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future generations; and |
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WHEREAS, Through a deep appreciation of the land and through |
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skills honed over the course of centuries, the vaquero has |
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contributed immeasurably to the history, culture, and economy of |
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South Texas and to the rich ranching heritage of the Lone Star State |
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and the American West; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize June 30, 2017, as Vaquero Day and |
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commend the members of Vaqueros of South Texas for their fidelity to |
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the generations of vaqueros who came before them. |