[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 17] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 22104] [From the U.S. 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. ____________________