By: Guillen H.C.R. No. 131       HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION          WHEREAS, The heritage of the vaquero remains vital in South   Texas, and the central role this colorful and iconic figure has   played in the history of the Lone Star State is being celebrated   with Vaquero Day on June 30; and          WHEREAS, Renowned for their horsemanship and stock-handling   skills, vaqueros were crucial to the advance of Spanish ranching   into Texas; from the mid-18th century onward, vaqueros figured   significantly in the development of large, open-range cattle   ranches in the region between the Nueces River and the Rio Grande,   traces of which can still be seen on the land in the form of   fortified stone blockhouses, ranch outbuildings, chapels and   cemeteries, hand-dug wells, and the man-made reservoirs that made   it possible to assemble enormous herds; and          WHEREAS, With the expansion of the Texas cattle industry in   the 19th century, the vaquero's traditions shaped ranching   practices all across the state, and much of the vaquero's   equipment--his chaps, bandana, sombrero, lasso, spurs, and   saddle--   became standard gear for all Texas cowboys, while other   elements of his craft, such as mounted herding and roping   techniques, also influenced early Anglo American practices;   eventually, these vaquero-inspired methods of working cattle   spread across the High Plains and the western part of the United   States; and          WHEREAS, Today, the proud culture of the vaquero is being   kept alive by such notable organizations as the Vaqueros of South   Texas, whose members, nearly 2,500 strong, work to preserve the   vaquero tradition for future generations; and          WHEREAS, Through a deep appreciation of the land and through   skills honed over the course of centuries, the vaquero has   contributed immeasurably to the history, culture, and economy of   South Texas and to the rich ranching heritage of the Lone Star State   and the American West; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas   hereby designate June 30 as Vaquero Day; and, be it further          RESOLVED, That in accordance with the provisions of Section   391.004(d), Government Code, this designation remain in effect   until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is finally   passed by the legislature.