TITLE: Congratulating National Cowgirl Hall of Fame member Isora DeRacy Young on the occasion of her 106th birthday.

SUMMARY: Congratulating National Cowgirl Hall of Fame member Isora DeRacy Young on the occasion of her 106th birthday.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Isora DeRacy Young of Stephenville is celebrating her 106th birthday on May 20, 2011, and it is indeed a pleasure to recognize this distinguished member of the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame on such a joyous occasion; and WHEREAS, The daughter of Homer and Catherine Johnson, the former Isora Johnson was born on May 20, 1905, and grew up on a ranch south of Pecos; she loved to rope and ride from an early age, but as a young wife and mother, she worked for a time as a deputy in the Reeves County sheriff's department, collecting taxes with a pearl-handled revolver at her side; after her daughter grew older, she traveled all over the country performing and was promoted as one of only two cowgirl calf ropers in the world; and WHEREAS, In 1939, she married cowboy I. W. "Dub" Young, and they traveled together to compete in rodeos across the West; Mrs. Young was a talented barrel racer as well as a calf roper, and she helped establish the Girls Rodeo Association, the first professional sports organization for women; and WHEREAS, Mrs. Young and her husband bought a ranch near Stephenville and then lived on a ranch in South Dakota until they retired from competition; they later returned to Erath County, where Mrs. Young founded an income tax service and built up a clientele of more than 400; after her husband's passing in 1976, she settled in Stephenville; and WHEREAS, The National Cowgirl Hall of Fame inducted Mrs. Young in 1979, and she is a member of the Texas Rodeo Hall of Fame as well; today, she continues to live independently with her cat and enjoys eating spicy food; the cherished matriarch is surrounded by the love of a fine family that includes three granddaughters, six great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren; and WHEREAS, Through the years, Isora DeRacy Young has set an example of strength, confidence, and enterprise as a pioneering cowgirl and successful rancher and tax professional, and she is a lasting source of inspiration to all who are privileged to know her; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Isora DeRacy Young on the occasion of her 106th birthday and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued happiness; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mrs. Young as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Miller of Erath Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2151 was adopted by the House on May 20, 2011, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House