SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 964          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, 2017; 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 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 Senate of the State of Texas, 85th   Legislature, hereby recognize June 30, 2017, as Vaquero Day and   commend the members of Vaqueros of South Texas for their fidelity   to the generations of vaqueros who came before them.     Zaffirini                 ________________________________          President of the Senate               I hereby certify that the     above Resolution was adopted by     the Senate on May 29, 2017.                 ________________________________          Secretary of the Senate                 ________________________________           Member, Texas Senate