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S.C.R. No. 8
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Legislature of the State of Texas is pleased to
recognize the importance of the chuck wagon to the state's history
and culture and to designate it as the official vehicle of Texas;
and
WHEREAS, The chuck wagon has been important in Texas since
the great cattle drives that lasted from the end of the Civil War to
the mid-1880s; during that period, approximately 10 million head of
cattle were driven along trails all the way from Texas to railheads
in Kansas, Missouri, Wyoming, and Canada; and
WHEREAS, During the early days of the trail drives, a cowboy
relied for survival strictly on what he could carry with him,
experiencing hunger and discomfort; and
WHEREAS, In 1866, Texas rancher and Civil War veteran Charles
Goodnight first used an army surplus Studebaker wagon on the trail
drive; the Studebaker proved itself sturdy enough to withstand
trail drives that could last up to five months; and
WHEREAS, Goodnight then designed and added a chuck box and a
boot to the rear of his wagon; this innovation became the prototype
for all future chuck wagons; the wagon's box was used to carry the
cowboys' bedrolls, guns, personal effects, bulk food supplies, feed
for the horses, and other supplies; and
WHEREAS, Today The American Chuck Wagon Association has 123
registered chuck wagons and over 200 members; the association's
members are committed to restoring and maintaining chuck wagons
with their own resources, which has ensured that the chuck wagon
will continue to function as a viable tool on many of our Texas
ranches and add to our state's historical and cultural charm; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 79th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby acknowledge the important value of preserving the chuck
wagon and designate the chuck wagon as the official vehicle of
Texas; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared as an
expression of esteem from the Texas Legislature.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 8 was adopted by the Senate
on March 30, 2005.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 8 was adopted by the House
on May 20, 2005.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor