TITLE: Paying tribute to the members of the Rader family for their contributions to the ranching heritage of the Panhandle.

SUMMARY: Paying tribute to the members of the Rader family for their contributions to the ranching heritage of the Panhandle.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Rader family has long contributed to the rich agricultural heritage of Texas as ranchers and farmers; and WHEREAS, The roots of the Rader family in the Panhandle regions of Texas and Oklahoma date back to when Ernest Justin Rader and his wife, Bonnie, settled on 160 acres in Day County, Oklahoma, where they began raising Polled Hereford cattle; and WHEREAS, Their son, Don, was born in 1924, and after serving his country during World War II, he came home, earned an agricultural economics degree at Oklahoma State University, and married Mary Esther Gerard; the couple settled in Shattuck, Oklahoma, and in 1960, they moved to Lipscomb County, where Mr. Rader followed in his father's footsteps and raised Polled Herefords; and WHEREAS, Over the years, many members of the Rader family have continued to be involved in ranching; Don Rader Jr. earned a degree in ranch management from Texas Christian University, and today his brother, Steve, runs the family ranch from its headquarters in Lipscomb County and raises Polled Herefords; sisters Judy, Nancy, and Betsy have all taken an active role in the operation of the ranch, while Catherine settled in Canadian and served communities in Hemphill, Lipscomb, and Wheeler Counties as an adult probation officer; and WHEREAS, Members of the subsequent generation also maintain their close ties to the ranching life, and one grandson has carried on Don Rader Sr.'s proud tradition of military service by graduating from West Point and serving as an officer in the U.S. Army; other Rader grandchildren are distinguishing themselves through their studies at prestigious schools across the country; and WHEREAS, Four generations of the Rader family have farmed and ranched in the Panhandle, and they continue to engage with their communities as civic and business leaders; together, they honor their family's legacy by exemplifying the values of hard work, respect for the land, and service to others; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the members of the Rader family for their contributions to the ranching heritage of the Panhandle and extend to them sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the Rader family as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. King of Hemphill Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 793 was adopted by the House on March 16, 2017, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House