Bill Text: TX SR361 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Enrolled

Texas Senate Resolution 361 (Prior Session Legislation)

Enrolled

Bill Title: Recognizing the Texas Bison Student Study Group for its efforts in behalf of the State Bison Herd of Texas.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)

Status: (Passed) 2017-03-06 - Reported enrolled [SR361 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-SR361-Enrolled.html


	SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 361
	WHEREAS, The members and sponsors of the Texas Bison
	Student Study Group have rendered an immeasurable public service
	through their work to promote the conservation and preservation
	of the legendary bison herd at Caprock Canyons State Park; and

	WHEREAS, Once found in the millions across the Great
	Plains, the buffalo were all but exterminated by hunters in the
	1870s and 1880s; a few, however, survived in small herds on
	private ranches, such as the group maintained by Charles
	Goodnight on the JA Ranch, largely at the encouragement of his
	wife, Mary Ann; during the decades when the Goodnights cared for
	the herd, it supplied stock for conservation efforts that
	succeeded in saving the species; in 1996, the owners of the JA
	Ranch donated the descendants of the Goodnight herd to the State
	of Texas, which relocated them to Caprock Canyons State Park; and

	WHEREAS, The Texas Bison Student Study Group was organized
	on September 12, 2010, at Lucy Rede Franco Middle School by The
	STAR DAY Foundation of El Paso; this dynamic group is responsible
	for a number of initiatives that have raised the profile of the
	Caprock Canyons bison herd, fostered public appreciation for its
	importance, and contributed to its support; and

	WHEREAS, Shortly after the formation of the study group,
	its members campaigned for the recognition of the Caprock Canyons
	herd as the official State Bison Herd of Texas, an objective that
	was achieved in 2011 when the 82nd Texas Legislature approved HCR
	86; two years later, the 83rd Texas Legislature responded to
	further proposals by the study group and passed SCR 10 and HCR 51,
	designating September 12 and March 5 as Mary Ann "Molly"
	Goodnight Day and Charles Goodnight Day, respectively; and

	WHEREAS, At the urging of the study group, The STAR DAY
	Foundation has established the Official State Bison Herd of Texas
	Fund, a permanent endowment intended to assist in the maintenance
	and improvement of the herd at Caprock Canyons; the fund was
	officially launched on the first Mary Ann "Molly" Goodnight Day,
	in 2013, and for its role in the creation of the fund, the study
	group was honored by then governor Rick Perry; and

	WHEREAS, During the 84th legislative session, the study
	group sought to make the town of Quitaque, located near Caprock
	Canyons State Park and named for Charles Goodnight's Quitaque
	Ranch, the official Bison Capital of Texas, and SCR 22
	successfully accomplished that goal; other study group proposals
	have led to the inauguration of the Mary Ann "Molly" Goodnight
	Library and Science Center Luncheon Seminar, held annually in
	Quitaque and sponsored by The STAR DAY Foundation, and to the
	development of the Texas Bison Journal, published on The STAR DAY
	Foundation website; and

	WHEREAS, Through their many efforts to support the bison
	herd at Caprock Canyons State Park and to raise public awareness
	ofitshistoryandsignificance,membersoftheTexasBison
	Student Study Group have proven fervent, effective advocates for
	the animal justly known as the Lord of the Plains, and they and
	all who have supported their endeavors may indeed take pride in
	their outstanding service to a worthy cause; now, therefore, be it

	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
	Legislature, hereby recognize the Texas Bison Student Study
	Group for its efforts in behalf of the official State Bison Herd
	of Texas and extend to all those associated with the group
	sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further

	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
	the group as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.

	Seliger



		________________________________
		President of the Senate

		I hereby certify that the
		above Resolution was adopted by
		the Senate on March 6, 2017.



		________________________________
		Secretary of the Senate



		________________________________
		Member, Texas Senate