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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Of all the Lone Star State's unique items of |
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headwear that Texans have used to adorn their heads, perhaps none |
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says "Texan" more fashionably than the Cowboy Hat; and |
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WHEREAS, The heritage of the Lone Star State is closely |
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associated with images of cowboys and the western frontier, and |
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these elements are reflected in several of the current Texas |
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symbols, including rodeo, the official state sport, and the |
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longhorn, the state large mammal; and |
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WHEREAS, Broad brimmed hats with high crowns can been seen |
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being worn by nomadic warriors like the Mongolian Horsemen as far |
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back as the 13th century; the hats made their way to Europe where |
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they were adopted by the Spaniards in the 15th and 16th centuries; |
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the Spaniards brought the hats to the New World where the style was |
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embraced by the horsemen and cattle herders of Spanish Mexico |
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called "vaqueros" and blended with other styles such as the |
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"sombrero;" and |
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WHEREAS, The emergence of the cowboy in the southwestern |
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United States in the 19th century secured the cowboy hat's place in |
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history, the hats varied in style and material while maintaining a |
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wide brim and high crown, the wide brim provided the face, neck, and |
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shoulders of the wearer shade from the sun and cover from the rain |
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while enduring the elements on a ranch or cattle drive; and |
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WHEREAS, the modern cowboy hat's development is credited to |
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John B. Stetson who crafted a hat by hand out of felt made from |
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animal skins in 1865, the hat became known as the "Boss of the |
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Plains" and this style of hat was popularized through the late 19th |
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and early 20th centuries, and |
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WHEREAS, The cowboy hat continued to gain notoriety both for |
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its utility to the wearer and for its fashionable appeal; it became |
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common to see presidents, governors, singers and musicians, movie |
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stars, athletes, and the average Texan wearing a cowboy hat; the hat |
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even became a required item of a Department of Public Safety |
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Trooper's uniform and an approved part of the Texas Ranger's |
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uniform; and |
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WHEREAS, An essential piece of clothing for a cowboy on a |
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cattle drive, a Texas Trooper on duty, or a fashion accessory that |
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can be personalized by shape and material, the cowboy hat reflects |
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the individualism that is so much a part of the Texan identity, |
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elegant in its appearance while maintaining practicality in its |
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function; classy, yet sensible, modern and esteemed, the cowboy hat |
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has stood the test of time, while enduring the elements, cattle |
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drives, and modern fashion trends and continuing to exhibit a sense |
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of style and dignified appearance; and |
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WHEREAS, The cowboy hat symbolizes both the state's iconic |
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western culture and the uniqueness of its residents, and it is |
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indeed appropriate that this stylish and dignified apparel receive |
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special legislative recognition; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby designate the cowboy hat as the official State Hat of Texas. |