[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 129 (Wednesday, November 15, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2049]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO THE VAQUEROS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 15, 2006

  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, whereas, the Vaqueros are the true original 
cowboys of South Texas, and they were an essential part of the early 
ranching industry in Jim Hogg County.
  Whereas, Vaqueros were renowned for their exemplary ranching and 
stock-handling skills, which were needed for the development of ranches 
and without them, the ranching industry would not have developed to the 
State it is today.
  Whereas, the skills and the ranching practices shown by the vaqueros 
have left a lasting impact on modern ranching. The equipment of the 
vaquero--saddle, chaps, bandana, lasso, and spurs--has become the 
standard gear of all Texas cowboys.
  Whereas, the first ranches founded in the area with the help of the 
vaqueros were Randado, Las Noriacitas, Las Animas, San Antonio Viejo, 
Las Emamadas, Las Viboritas, El Baluarte, and San Javier. Some of these 
ranches are still held by descendants of the original owners such as 
Randado, which was visited by General Robert E. Lee during the Civil 
War.
  Whereas, ranching remains one of the vital elements of the economy in 
Jim Hogg County, and the City of Hebbronville is located on the land 
that once was a part of the Las Noriacitas Ranch. W.R. Hebbron, the 
town's namesake, established the city along the route of the Texas 
Mexican Railway in 1883.
  Be it hereby resolved, That Congressman Henry Cuellar, in 
representing the 28th Congressional District of the State of Texas, 
commends the City of Hebbronville on its celebration of the history of 
the vaquero on November 4, 2006.

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