Commemorating 100 years of conservation efforts to preserve the Texas longhorn.

The text as introduced · 447 words

90R4492 KRT-D

By: Isaac
H.R. No. 6

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The Cattlemen's Texas Longhorn Registry is hosting a

Heritage Texas Longhorn Sale in Duncan, Oklahoma, on September 18,

2027, providing a fitting opportunity to highlight 100 years of

conservation efforts made in behalf of this iconic animal; and

WHEREAS, Known for its twisting, spreading horns, the Texas

longhorn is descended from cattle brought to the region from

southwestern Spain; in the latter half of the 19th century,

millions of head of these half-wild cattle were driven from Texas to

markets across the U.S., helping revive the state's economy after

the Civil War; the spread of barbed wire fencing in the 1880s led to

controlled breeding, and as ranchers crossed the animal with other

stock, the true longhorn soon faced extinction; and

WHEREAS, Conservation initiatives began in 1927, when Will C.

Barnes, John H. Hatton, and other U.S. Forest Service officers

selected a small group of original-type longhorns to establish the

first federally protected herd in the Wichita National Forest and

Game Preserve in Oklahoma; a few years later, oilman Sid W.

Richardson, author J. Frank Dobie, and former range inspector

Graves Peeler collaborated to gather cattle for Texas state parks,

with the main herd being consolidated at Fort Griffin State Park in

1948 and designated as the official State Longhorn Herd in 1969;

through the decades, private ranchers and other breeders also

helped maintain remnant pure or near-pure stock; and

WHEREAS, In 1990, the Cattlemen's Texas Longhorn Registry was

founded to preserve the historic breed, and the Cattlemen's Texas

Longhorn Conservancy was later established to support scientific

research and public outreach; students from across Texas helped

name the animal as the official Large State Mammal, a designation

the Legislature passed in 1995; though the original-type longhorn

remains listed as critically endangered by the Livestock

Conservancy, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas

Historical Commission continue to ably manage the state herd, using

the animals for genetic preservation and educational programs; and

WHEREAS, The Texas longhorn is a living symbol of the history

and cultural identity of the Lone Star State, and it is indeed

fitting to recognize a century's worth of contributions to protect

this important animal; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 90th Texas

Legislature hereby commemorate 100 years of conservation efforts to

preserve the Texas longhorn and extend sincere appreciation to all

those involved in this vital work; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

prepared for the Cattlemen's Texas Longhorn Registry as an

expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.