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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Family farms and ranches have long been essential to |
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the economy and culture of the Lone Star State, and the Graham Ranch |
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in Henderson County has been recognized for its role in this proud |
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tradition with its acceptance into the Family Land Heritage Program |
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in 2020; and |
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WHEREAS, Sponsored by the Texas Department of Agriculture, |
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the Family Land Heritage Program honors farms and ranches that have |
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been in continuous agricultural operation by the same family for a |
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century or more; and |
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WHEREAS, The Graham Ranch traces its origins back to January |
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8, 1869, when its founder, Shadrack Weaver Green, purchased 71 |
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acres of land in Henderson County; he acquired an additional 169 |
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acres in 1871, and 10 years later, he sold 93 acres to his |
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son-in-law, William Hugh Graham; Mr. Graham subsequently passed |
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down 77 acres to his son, Arthur Graham, and in 1973, Arnold Graham |
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acquired 27 acres; and |
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WHEREAS, Stanley and Charlotte Graham procured the title to |
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Arnold Graham's 27 acres in 2000, and they added their son, Kevin |
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Graham, to the deed in 2015; over the years, the Graham's property |
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has grown to encompass an additional 500 acres of land, and the |
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family continues to run cattle and bale hay; and |
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WHEREAS, For the past century and a half, the Graham Ranch has |
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played an important role in Henderson County and helped to preserve |
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the rich agricultural heritage of Texas, and it is indeed fitting |
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that the members of the Graham family be recognized for their |
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outstanding stewardship; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby commemorate the induction |
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of the Graham Ranch of Henderson County into the Family Land |
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Heritage Program and extend to all those associated with the ranch |
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sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the Graham family as an expression of high regard by |
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the Texas House of Representatives. |