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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The prosperity of the Lone Star State has been |
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greatly influenced by family farming and ranching, and the Wallace |
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Farm in Bell County has been officially recognized for its role in |
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this proud tradition with its acceptance into the state's Family |
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Land Heritage Program in 2023; and |
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WHEREAS, Sponsored by the Texas Department of Agriculture, |
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this program honors farms and ranches that have been in continuous |
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agricultural operation by the same family for a century or more; |
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established in 1873, the Wallace Farm is currently owned and |
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operated by Laura W. Bergin and Christine W. Stockwell; and |
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WHEREAS, The farm's founder, John Armstrong Wallace, was a |
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native of Tennessee who moved with his family to Texas as a child; |
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in 1873, he and his wife, Amanda Wallace, acquired 280 acres of |
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land; there, they built their home and developed a ranch and farm, |
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where they raised livestock and grew cotton, corn, oats, and wheat; |
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they became the parents of 11 children, several of whom remained on |
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the land; after the elder Mr. Wallace's passing in 1948, ownership |
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of the farm was transferred to his youngest son, Wofford Garrison |
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Wallace, who resided there and continued to raise livestock and |
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cultivate crops on the property alongside his sisters, Amanda and |
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Anna Belle; and |
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WHEREAS, Wofford Wallace passed away in 1972, and his older |
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brother, Henry Clay Wallace, assumed ownership of the farm, which |
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was subsequently divided between his sons, Henry and Joseph; since |
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the death of Henry Wallace Jr. in 2014, his daughters Laura and |
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Christine have tended to the remaining 140 acres, where they |
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currently grow corn; and |
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WHEREAS, In preserving their property as a working farm, |
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Laura Bergin and Christine Stockwell are making their own |
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contribution to their family's legacy, and it is indeed fitting |
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that they be honored for their outstanding stewardship; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature, 3rd |
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Called Session, hereby congratulate Laura W. Bergin and Christine |
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W. Stockwell on the induction of the Wallace Farm into the Texas |
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Department of Agriculture Family Land Heritage Program and extend |
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to them 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 Ms. Bergin and Ms. Stockwell as an expression of high |
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regard by the Texas Senate. |