H.C.R. No. 35

	HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, Of all the Lone Star State's unique items of
	headwear that Texans have used to adorn their heads, perhaps none
	says "Texan" more fashionably than the Cowboy Hat; and
	WHEREAS, The heritage of the Lone Star State is closely
	associated with images of cowboys and the western frontier, and
	these elements are reflected in several of the current Texas
	symbols, including rodeo, the official state sport, and the
	longhorn, the state large mammal; and
	WHEREAS, Broad-brimmed hats with high crowns can be seen
	being worn by nomadic warriors like the Mongolian Horsemen as far
	back as the 13th century; the hats made their way to Europe where
	they were adopted by the Spaniards in the 15th and 16th centuries;
	the Spaniards brought the hats to the New World where the style was
	embraced by the horsemen and cattle herders of Spanish Mexico
	called "vaqueros" and blended with other styles such as the
	"sombrero"; and
	WHEREAS, The emergence of the cowboy in the southwestern
	United States in the 19th century secured the cowboy hat's place in
	history; the hats varied in style and material while maintaining a
	wide brim and high crown; the wide brim provided the face, neck, and
	shoulders of the wearer shade from the sun and cover from the rain
	while enduring the elements on a ranch or cattle drive; and
	WHEREAS, The modern cowboy hat's development is credited to
	John B. Stetson, who crafted a hat by hand out of felt made from
	animal skins in 1865; the hat became known as the "Boss of the
	Plains" and this style of hat was popularized through the late 19th
	and early 20th centuries; and
	WHEREAS, The cowboy hat continued to gain notoriety both for
	its utility to the wearer and for its fashionable appeal; it became
	common to see presidents, governors, singers and musicians, movie
	stars, athletes, and the average Texan wearing a cowboy hat; the hat
	even became a required item of a Department of Public Safety
	Trooper's uniform and an approved part of the Texas Ranger's
	uniform; and
	WHEREAS, An essential piece of clothing for a cowboy on a
	cattle drive, a Texas Trooper on duty, or a fashion accessory that
	can be personalized by shape and material, the cowboy hat reflects
	the individualism that is so much a part of the Texan identity,
	elegant in its appearance while maintaining practicality in its
	function; classy, yet sensible, modern and esteemed, the cowboy hat
	has stood the test of time, while enduring the elements, cattle
	drives, and modern fashion trends and continuing to exhibit a sense
	of style and dignified appearance; and
	WHEREAS, The cowboy hat symbolizes both the state's iconic
	western culture and the uniqueness of its residents, and it is
	indeed appropriate that this stylish and dignified apparel receive
	special legislative recognition; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas
	hereby designate the cowboy hat as the official State Hat of Texas.
	Farney
	Button
	Springer
	King of Hemphill
	Sheffield
	______________________________	______________________________
	President of the Senate	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.C.R. No. 35 was adopted by the House on May
	8, 2015, by the following vote:  Yeas 141, Nays 2, 2 present, not
	voting.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House
	I certify that H.C.R. No. 35 was adopted by the Senate on May
	26, 2015, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
	______________________________
	Secretary of the Senate
	APPROVED: __________________
	Date
	__________________
	Governor