Recognizing and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo

MAGAZINE

May 1996—Vol. IV, No. 2

Three Singing Cowboys Shine on New Star Trail

Magazine CommitteeOfficer in Charge

Bill T. Teague

ChairmanPeter A. Ruman

Vice Chairmen/Committee Editors

Bill BarrettBill Booher

Copy EditorsNancy Leverett

Larry Levy

Editorial BoardSuzanne Epps

J. Grover KelleyC. F. KendallJohn Murphy

Marshall R. Smith IIIStephen Stepinoff

ReportersSamuel N. Allen

Nancy BurchYahsmine Catli-Cowan

Cheryl DorsettAmy Glass

Freeman GregoryWhitney Horton

Charlotte HowardAnn Jacobs

Beth JohnsonMark Jones

Pam MaloneMelissa Manning

Beverly RosenbaumPatrick ScherriebLeslie Worsham

Design/LayoutPegasus Design, Inc.

PhotographerSam Pierson

Magazine StaffManagement Coordinators

Leroy ShaferSuzy Brown

Production EditorJohnnie Hendon

Staff Coordinator/EditorTeresa Lippert

PhotographerFrank Martin, D.V.M.

Houston Livestock Show and RodeoExecutive Committee

Joseph T. Ainsworth, M.D. Jim Bloodworth Allen H. CarruthDick Graves Hal Hillman Don D. JordanH. Stuart Lang Jr. Louis M. Pearce Jr. John O. SmithClayton Underwood Tommie Vaughn P. Michael Wells

James M. Windham Jr.

Lifetime Member - Executive CommitteeDouglas B. Marshall

Chairman of the BoardDick Graves

PresidentDon D. Jordan

First Vice PresidentJim Bloodworth

OfficersJerry Johnston Andrew John T. Cook George A. DeMontrond IIIC.R. “Bob” Devine Wayne Hollis Jr. Jim JankeJohn J. Montalbano Kenneth C. Moursund David E. Mouton, M.D.Tom R. Northrup Paul G. Somerville Lodie Stapleton

Bill T. Teague

General ManagerDan A. Gattis

Volume IV, No. 2, is published by the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Copyright 1996. Letters and

comments should be sent to: Marketing Department, Houston LivestockShow and Rodeo, P.O. Box 20070, Houston, Texas 77225-0070.

TABLE OF CONTENTSA Message from the President ——————————————1Features

1996 Show Continues Success ———————————— 2A New Face in the Show Ring ———————————— 5A Walk Among the Stars —————————————— 6Looking Up the Hill ———————————————— 8A Tip of the Hat to the Show’s Chairman——————— 10Not Your Average Cowboy ————————————— 12Outgoing Vice President Profiles —————————— 14

Committee SpotlightsIntercollegiate Meat Judging Contest Committee ——— 16Legal Advisory Committee ————————————— 17Rabbit Show Committee —————————————— 18Veterinarian Committee —————————————— 19

Show News and UpdatesRodeo Round-up ————————————————— 21

Calendar of Events —————————————— Back Cover

Cover Photo: Sam Pierson

MAGAZINE,

hree years is a long time to work at a secondjob, and that’s what being president of theHouston Livestock Show and Rodeo is like.

My fellow officers and I are expected to be “at work” atvery specific times and no one ever says, “Oh, he’s a vol-unteer, it’s fine if he’s late.”

It’s a great honor for us and I know that about 12,000 ofyou who have this same second job feel the same way.You take vacations to work at the Show, or you workweekends and nights. Are we crazy? Some of my friendsask me that, or they say, “Do you really do all this just forthat gold badge?”

Of course it’s not the gold badge, and sometimes whenI’d rather just go home instead of attending another recep-tion, I, too, wonder if we’re all crazy to do this.

Then, I look out in the rodeo arena and I see 28 boysand girls running around four acres of ankle-deep dirt try-ing to catch calves. They do that for the opportunity to putin another long year’s worth of work to raise a calf forwhich many will basically get nothing except the satis-faction of a job well done. Their parents are cheering forthem from the stands, so that they can spend a year’sworth of time and money helping their youngsters raise aheifer for which they’ll never see much monetary reward.

I walk around the Astrohall and Astroarena, and I seeyoungsters carefully grooming theirsteers, lambs, heifers, barrows andother livestock. Only 10 of them, thegrand and reserve grand champions,will get the huge payoffs. And even

though all of our ribbon-winning market animals receivea premium at the auctions, no one would really think itcould pay back the time and effort that the kids put intothese projects.

At the scholarship presentations I’ve attended throughthe years, I’ve learned about the time and sacrifice that ourscholarship winners put into their studies, their commu-nities and their 4-H and FFA projects. Once again, only asmall percentage get the really big payoffs, and what we’reproviding the winners with is a chance at four more yearsof hard work in college.

That’s what we do for ourselves as volunteers. If wework hard, we get to move up to captain, vice chairman,chairman, officer, president or Executive Committee mem-ber. We work hard so that we can be given more responsi-bility and work even harder for no monetary return.

Maybe that’s why those who are not involved in ourShow have a hard time understanding. We know, howev-er, that all you have to do is meet one scholarship winner,calf scramble participant, junior livestock exhibitor,school art contestant or Exceptional Rodeo kid, and you’llremember why your gold badge, and what it stands for,really is worth all the time, money, sacrifice and effort.

I’m proud that you rewarded me with these three yearsof hard work. I wouldn’t have traded the experience for

anything, and I can honestly say thatno matter how much I put into thisShow, I took double out in personal ful-fillment and growth. Thank you all forthree incredible years.

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D O N D . J O R D A NP R E S I D E N T

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he 1996 Houston Live-stock Show and Rodeocommemorated 30 years

in the Astrodome complex at thisyear’s event with three pay-per-view telecasts, a satellite uplink tothe Columbia space shuttle for alive conversation with the nation’sastronauts and more than 1 millionfans enjoying world’s champi-onship rodeo — all in this phenom-enal facility the organization hascalled “home” since 1966.

The 1996 Houston LivestockShow and Rodeo:

• Recorded a total draw of1,830,265 for general atten-dance, an increase of 1.12 per-cent over last year’s total.

• Drew more than 1 million spec-tators in rodeo attendance for thesecond straight year. Attendancein the Astrodome totaled1,061,344.

• Established two performanceattendance records. Sixteen ofthe 20 rodeo performances wereconsidered sellouts, with theremaining four performanceshaving only scattered singles

and obstructed view ticketsremaining.

• Broke two world’s record auc-tion sales marks — $185,000 forthe Reserve Grand ChampionSteer, and $62,000 for theReserve Grand Champion Lamb.

• Presented three RODEOHOUSTON

pay-per-view telecasts nation-wide on DIRECTV and TVNEntertainment Theater, and oncable television in Texas,Arkansas, Louisiana, NewMexico and Oklahoma.

A HUGE TEXAS PICNIC

It’s the biggest outdoor cook-outfound anywhere, and this year’sWorld’s Championship Bar-B-QueContest drew its largest crowd ever— 176,184 people. The three-dayevent, held Feb. 8-10, featuredcooks from around the globeexhibiting their culinary skills andtalents over a pit. This year’s con-test also drew the highest numberof cooking teams — 322.

“We had all the right ingredientsfor a very successful barbecue con-test,” said Skip Wagner, assistantgeneral manager. “The weatherwas perfect, the mini-carnival wasexpanded, and we added a dancetent in addition to our musicalentertainment. It’s obvious by thepeople who came through thegates that this certainly was thebest year ever.”

A TOUCH OF FLAIR IN THE DOME

The 1996 rodeo was enhancedwith several new additions thisyear, bringing a touch of color toeach of the rodeo performances.The opening ceremonies featured

1 9 9 6 S H O W C O N T I N U E S S U C C E S S

TPrepared byShow Staff

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Show President Don D. Jordan (left) is joined by U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison andactor Chuck Norris in greeting the Astrodome crowd at the Feb. 24 evening rodeo per-formance.

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the U.S. Marines Mounted ColorGuard, from Barstow, Calif., cap-ping off the spectacular nationalanthem salute.

The Catalena Cowgirls drillteam from Bryan, Texas, addedbeauty and dynamics to each of theperformances with their spectacu-lar routines during the rodeo over-ture and the national anthem, aswell as their ride-arounds featuringthe rodeo event sponsor flags.

HOUSTON’S AUCTIONS BRING MILLIONS

Total auction sales, includingthe Premier Horse Sale and a newSchool Art Auction, tallied in at$7,122,435, a 5 percent decreasefrom the 1995 total, due in part totwo fewer cattle sales held in 1996.

The first School Art Auctionrecorded $254,900 in total sales.The Grand Champion piece, awatercolor painting, sold for a phe-nomenal $40,000 and the ReserveChampion, a pencil drawing, waspurchased for $26,000. The 50young artists received $35,500 ofthe grand total as a result of the auc-tion cap program, with the remain-ing $219,400 being placed into theShow’s Educational Fund.

“The only way to describethe auction is overwhelming!”said Tom Northrup, officer incharge of the School ArtCommittee. “The supportof all the buyers and otherparticipants exceeded themost optimistic expecta-tions of the committee.”

Junior market livestocksales made up $4,425,050 of thetotal auction sales. Of thisamount, $1,286,700 was placed inthe Show’s Educational Fund. And,due to the organization’s guaran-teed premium program, the young

Texas 4-H and FFA exhibitors tookhome $3,168,300 for their auctionanimals.

The junior market auction totalwas comprised of $2,275,000 insteer sales, followed by marketswine sales of $732,150; marketlamb sales of $695,425; and marketpoultry sales of $438,350. Thejunior commercial steer sale record-ed a total of $284,125, a 24 percentincrease from 1995.

The fifth annual Premier HorseSale posted sales of $261,750,while commercial cattle sales var-ied from breed to breed, recording atotal of $2,180,735 in sales.

GUESTS FROM NEAR AND FAR

Texas Governor George W. Bushkicked off the 1996 festivities as hevisited the Show Friday, Feb. 16.After riding in the Grand Entry, heand Show President Don D. Jordangave a live welcome to the Astrodomecrowd and enjoyed the rodeo perfor-mance featuring Vince Gill.

On Friday, March 1, former Pres-ident George Bush and his wifeBarbara — both long-time friendsand supporters of the Show —enjoyed world’s championshiprodeo action and a visit with RebaMcEntire before her performance.

Actor and martial arts expertChuck Norris and U. S. Sen. KayBailey Hutchison also were a partof Show festivities on Saturday,Feb. 24. Both joined Jordan for alive welcome to the Dome specta-tors and visited with many rodeoguests.

The late actor Ben Johnson, for-mer rodeo star entertainer Hugh

O’Brian and Johnson SpaceCenter Director George

Abbey also enjoyed a

The U.S. Marines ColorGuard added a uniquetouch to this year’sopening ceremonies.

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visit to Houston’s most celebratedevent.

The Show also hosted a recordnumber of foreign visitors — 3,152guests from 75 different countries.Many of these foreign visitors pur-chased livestock as well.

“Our international guests con-tinue to show confidence in ourevent through their attendance andthe large amounts of money theyspend on agricultural products andlivestock,” said Paul Somerville,officer in charge of the InternationalCommittee.

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RODEOHOUSTON was everywhere at the 1996Show — on caps, bags, shirts and briefcases. ButRODEOHOUSTON also was seen by thousands of rodeofans in their own homes.

The first telecast, Friday, Feb. 23, featured high-lights of the first go-round of rodeo action followed bya live concert starring George Strait. The perfor-mance set the all-time highest individual attendancerecord with 62,936 spectators.

On Thursday, Feb. 29, the broadcast highlighted the best rides from the second go-round of rodeocompetition, followed by a live concert withAlabama and Patty Loveless.

The March 3 RODEOHOUSTON telecast featured alive broadcast of the world’s championship rodeofinals in its entirety. In its second year on nationalsatellite distribution and third year on cable televi-sion, RODEOHOUSTON reaped phenomenal successfrom its pay-per-view telecasts.

“Early estimates show that 150,000 rodeo fanssaw RODEOHOUSTON,” said John Heidtke, generalmanager of Prime Sports. “Sales of the broadcastwere second only to the play-off games of the worldchampion Houston Rockets. In addition, it was thebest concert sales promotion. In Houston, it outsoldthe Judds’ farewell tour, Woodstock and the Elvis trib-ute,” he added.

“While we are proud of all aspects of ourRODEOHOUSTON performances, we are extremelyexcited about DIRECTV purchases,” said LeroyShafer, Show assistant general manager. “The directdigital delivery of electronic media to the consumeris in its infancy — it’s less than two years old — andwe had nearly 16,000 buys from all over NorthAmerica. The future possibilities in this area aretremendous. We look forward to RODEOHOUSTON andthe direct delivery systems growing up together.”

The Grand Champion piece of artwork — a pen-cil, prisma and watercolor drawing by TrentonMendez of Terry High School — sold for $40,000at the first School Art Auction.

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o say John Sykescame on board rightin the thick of it is

more than an understatement.“I have been a part of this organ-

ization since the Monday before theShow started. I have been helpingwith anything and everything thatneeds to be done,” said Sykes, theShow’s new manager of the agricul-tural exhibits and competitiondepartment.

Sykes, the organization’s fourthmanager, was added to the full-timestaff in response to the Show’s con-tinued growth in size and complex-ity. He will be spending the nextyear learning the ins and outs of theworld’s largest livestock exhibitionand every detail of how it operates.

“I have already had the opportu-nity to meet some fantastic peopleinvolved with this organization.The commitment of volunteers hereis absolutely amazing. I am here tohelp fulfill the goals, responsibili-ties and dreams of these volunteers,because without them, this organi-zation wouldn’t work.”

Sykes holds a bachelor’s degreein animal science from Texas A&MUniversity. He has extensive expe-rience in livestock production andmanagement, operations manage-ment, marketing and internationalagricultural programs.

His duties will include organiz-ing and managing the livestockshow, horse show and calf scrambleprogram, as well as all related activ-ities and coordination of these activ-ities with committee volunteers,officers, directors, and state andnational breed association person-nel. He also will help continue theplans to broaden the organization’snational and international scope.

“John and I will be working veryclosely over the next year, as he

learns the many aspects of thisindustry,” said Don Jobes, assistantgeneral manager. “Not only is therelivestock to deal with, but add tothat a premium list to produce andpublish, a rule book to compile, anintricate data processing system tolearn and much more.”

Sykes came to the Show from theTexas Agricultural Extension Servicein College Station, Texas, where hewas a coordinator and assistant tothe director of the Texas AgriculturalLifetime Leadership (TALL) programfor nine years. This program is a syn-dicate of Texas leaders, whose mis-sion is to help ensure effectiveunderstanding and encourage posi-tive action on key issues, theories,policy and economics that willadvance the agricultural industry.

Sykes also served as TALL’s desig-nated liaison from the director’s officeto state and national government offi-cials. He played an integral role insupervising agricultural and livestock

programs, as well as fostering rela-tions with international contacts.

Prior to his tenure with TALL,Sykes was the president ofStahmann Chocolatry, Inc., in LasCruces, N.M. He also served as thedeputy director of the NationalPecan Marketing Council, and foreight years he managed a hog andcow/calf operation in CollegeStation.

Sykes is a native of Iowa Park,Texas. He and his wife Teresahave two children, Clint, 14, andKristi, 10.

Houston Livestock Show andRodeo General Manager Dan Gattissaid, “John’s background in theagricultural industry, coupled withhis invaluable leadership and man-agement skills, will undoubtedlyadd even more depth to our agri-cultural exhibits and competitiondepartment as well as aid in guid-ing our livestock show intothe next century.”

John Sykes, (standing) new manager of the agricultural exhibits and competi-tion department, spent his first Show getting to know committee volunteersand livestock officials.

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A N E W F A C E I N T H E S H O W R I N G

Story byLeslie

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s he going to be here? That was the question on

the bright, breezy, beautifulday Monday, Feb. 19 — the day thenewest attraction was to beunveiled at the 1996 HoustonLivestock Show and Rodeo.

Star Trail, the organization’s newarea dedicated to premier entertain-ers who have had a significant impacton the Show, began its serious initialplanning stages only seven monthsago. “It was talked about on and offfor many years, but for many reasons,this year seemed to be the right time,”said Lori Renfrow, assistant managerof the Show.

Houston television personality

and Show life member Jan Glenn iscredited with the original idea — aHollywood walk of fame-style trib-ute to Houston Rodeo entertainers.It was Glenn’s proposal that pushedthe project into reality.

“This is just another example ofhow the Show is growing — notjust staying viable, but remaininginteresting, doing new things,” saidDon D. Jordan, Show president.“This event will allow the Show toenjoy national publicity each time anew entertainer is inducted. This isa fine illustration of how committeepeople are breathing new ideas intothe organization.”

The first three entertainers to be

honored were naturals — GeneAutry, Roy Rogers and George Strait.

Gene Autry, The SingingCowboy, debuted as the Show’sfirst star entertainer in 1942, cap-turing the hearts of Houstonianswith his voice and his magnificenthorse, Champion. This first perfor-mance represented the most signif-icant improvement in rodeo enter-tainment. The Show’s entertain-ment prior to Autry’s performanceincluded a pony and two trick dogs.Autry performed to Show audi-ences for six years throughout the1940s and ‘50s.

Roy Rogers, The King of Cowboys,entertained Houston crowdsthroughout three decades (1950-1972) with his movie star charismaand talent, performing for eight yearsto rodeo audiences.

But in this new age of countryand western entertainers, it hasbeen George Strait who has provedto be the greatest advocate of theShow — and who has reached, by awide margin, the largest number ofHouston Rodeo fans.

“I am particularly pleased to seeus start this program now,” said DanGattis, general manager of the Show.“Of course, we have enjoyed manyentertainers over the years, butthese three have really made a dif-ference in terms of helping the orga-nization grow. In this modern era ofthe rodeo, George Strait reallystands above the crowd. I wouldlike to extend a heartfelt thanks toGeorge from the Houston LivestockShow and Rodeo not only for per-forming for us 21 times over the past14 years, but for agreeing to pay-per-view coverage of one of his perfor-mances. His cooperation will leadthe way for other entertainers andallows the Show to reach more peo-ple and generate more scholarships.This is just one example of howGeorge continues to be a friend of

A W A L K A M O N G T H E S T A R S

IStory by Amy Glass

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George Strait’s son Bubba and wife Norma help the singer unveil his like-ness in the Show’s new Star Trail

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this organization and why he waschosen to be honored.”

Bringing the architectural conceptof Star Trail to a reality began withGary Wilson of Wilson Architects,who helped visualize and plan thearea. Wilson produced drawingsdetailing Star Trail. Then, from pub-licity photos of the three entertain-ers, fulltime Astrodome USA artistLogan Goodson sketched line draw-ings that were crafted into brass sil-houettes.

On its day of dedication, whilethe crowd around Star Trail wasvaguely aware of the time, crafts-manship and hard work that hadgone into the planning and comple-tion of the area, the question of thehour was still “will he be here?”

Jordan and Gattis, after a briefgreeting to the gathered rodeo fansand media, answered the questionin everyone’s minds. The politecrowd suddenly became loudand excited as George Strait,along with his wife Norma andson Bubba, entered the areawith a bright smile and friend-ly wave for everyone there togreet him.

Strait graciously thankedthe Show and recounted thefamous story of his firstrodeo performance whenhe was a last-minute sub-stitute for another enter-tainer who had becomeill. He also humblyacknowledged thehonor of being includ-ed with such legendsas Autry and Rogers.

Jordan and Gattiseach presented Straitwith one of a pair ofspurs. One spur,presented by Gattis,was inscribed “From OneTexas Legend to Another,”honoring the long-time pairing of

George Strait with the Show. Theother spur, presented by Jordan,read “Presented to George Strait forPlaying to One Million HoustonRodeo Fans.”

The future will see additionalentertainers inducted into Star Trail,but the three singing cowboys whocomprised the inaugural memberswill forever be remembered for theirsignificant contributions to the evolu-tion of the Houston Livestock

Show and Rodeo.

onversation wandersbetween John Weathersand Dale Schaffner as they

sit on a battered tack box jammedagainst the wall of a barn at theWashington County Fairgrounds.Opinions and ideas are exchangedcomfortably from one man to theother. They’ve known one anotherfor a long time. But, the content oftheir talk is just a backdrop to themoment at hand. See, they’re look-ing up the hill.

Weathers and Schaffner are agri-cultural science teachers at high

schools in the Texas Panhandle.They’ve brought almost 70 studentsand pigs to the barrow sift inBrenham, Texas, an eliminationround that narrows the fieldallowed to contend for honors inthe Show’s junior market swinecompetition from 4,285 entries to660. Pigs not selected to go toHouston are ushered into a trailer

for a quick trip to a nearby process-ing plant. Those destined for theShow are directed “down the hill”from the judging barn and back tothe relative safety of their pens.

Weathers and Schaffner are look-ing up the hill to see if their stu-dents and their pigs have beenselected to move on to Houston.

After 13 years, the sift hasbecome a fixture in Brenham, pro-ducing significant social and eco-nomic impact to this picturesquetown located about 70 miles north-west of Houston. For the Show, it

has solved many problems.In 1983, gradual but substantial

growth in the number of animalsentered in the Show’s livestockcompetitions made officials real-ize the Astrohall’s facilitiesweren’t large enough to house allof them, especially swine. Therehad to be a way to reduce thenumber of pigs that finally made it

to Houston for judging.So, like many things associated

with the Show, the sift was born ofnecessity. Here’s how it works.Youngsters from throughout Texasenter their pigs in the Houstoncompetition and mark their calen-dars for mid-to late February fortheir trek to Brenham.

While many people arriveWednesday night, Thursday is thebig move-in day, when members ofthe Show’s Breeders GreetersCommittee direct traffic, superviselivestock unloading and organizeparking — all extremely importanttasks when you consider they havejust one day to get all that done forexhibitors and their 4,300 pigs.

Swine Auction Committee vol-unteers also make the trip toBrenham to work at the event. Thisgroup also pre-sells the market bar-rows, ensuring that each of the 660exhibitors who makes it to Houstonreceives a premium for his or heranimal.

Judging begins on Friday, andit’s something to behold. The pigsare classified by breed and weight,called by classification, weighedand sent “down the hill” or to thetrailer that’s waiting in the parkinglot — all at a dizzying rate.

This year’s judge, Warren Beeler,a commercial swine breeder fromCaneyville, Ky., was joined in thejudging ring by three assistants.Their procedure is simple, some-times painfully so.

The judge stands back about 15feet from the end of a chute thatleads into the judging ring.Through the chute come theexhibitors and their barrows, onepair at a time. In somewherebetween two and seven seconds,the kid discovers the immediatefate of the animal he or she hasraised for the past year.

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The population of Brenham, Texas, increases dramatically for a few days during thepig sift, when thousands of hopeful young Texans – with their teachers and parents –descend on the small town northwest of Houston.

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Hands akimbo, Beeler swallowseach animal visually as pig andhandler move past him. Quirtsraised high and eyes full of hope,the kids hold their breath andwatch Beeler, waiting for him topoint one way or the other.

A gesture one way prompts oneof his assistants to bark, “Down thehill.” Jubilation. A gesture the otherway brings the instruction, “ Out.”

At first, the exhibitors lookstunned. Their shoulders slump a

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A quick gesture from the judgesends the exhibitor’s hopes andhis pig to the world’s largest live-stock show. . . . or out the door tothe packing plant.

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BOOMING IN BRENHAMWhen the thousands of these livestock exhibitors,

their teachers and families descend on Brenham for

four days, they bring with them a need for food and

lodging that ranks second only to bluebonnet sea-

son, according to Paige Michel, director of tourism

for the Washington County Chamber of Commerce

Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It’s a time of year

that affects our entire community,” said Michel.

When Dorothy Morgan first pitched the idea of lur-

ing the barrow sift to Brenham, local business people

and government officials looked at the then-mayor

as though she’d stepped right out of a spaceship.

“Restaurant owners actually asked me, ‘You mean,

we’ll have to stay open later?’,” she laughed. “Now,

they tell me to keep the sift in Brenham at all costs.”

Today, Morgan is the Washington County Judge

and a member of the Show’s Breeders Greeters

Committee. The sift, she says, has been an incredible

boost for Brenham.

“The economic impact the event has on the county

is somewhere around $500,000,” explained Michel.

“And that is a very, very conservative estimate.”

During the sift’s four-day run, all 500 motel rooms

in Brenham sell out, and lodging business improved

within a 50-mile radius of the city, Michel said.

Despite the increased traffic congestion and the

crowds at local grocery stores and restaurants, the

people of Brenham look forward to the sift and the

visitors it brings.

s Dick Graves ends histenure as chairman of theboard of the Houston

Livestock Show and Rodeo, it isfitting to reflect upon this posi-tive-thinking, energetic man whofor many years has tirelessly given

of himself. His strong leadership qualities,

charismatic personality andcapacity to see the Show as aplace where people can enjoythemselves while helping othershave given him the ability to effec-

tively direct the Show as it hasevolved to new levels.

Of the many accomplishmentsmade by the Show under his lead-ership, Graves is most proud ofthose which relate directly to theprimary purpose of the organ- ization — providing educationalopportunities.

He points out that, at one time,most scholarship recipients livedoutside Harris County, with only 25scholarships given each year to stu-dents located in the Houston metro-politan area. Graves, who spear-headed the localization andincrease of scholarships, states withpride that today more than 100scholarships are given each year inthe metropolitan area alone, includ-ing one for each high school inHarris and the contiguous counties.

Yet increasing the quantity ofscholarships was not enough forGraves. In his self-described mostimportant moment, at the annualstatewide 4-H Roundup conventionin College Station, Texas, Gravesannounced that all $8,000 scholar-ships were a thing of the past, andthat they would be upgraded to$10,000 awards, and that suchchange would be retroactive. Thestanding ovation from the hugeaudience precluded any furthercomments by Graves, reflecting themagnitude of his statements andtheir effect on many young lives.

Graves was drawn to the spiritand excitement of the Show andbecame a life member in 1960. Hisrole in committees reflects thegrowth of the Show during his earlyyears. He was active on theMembership Committee andfounded the Sky Box Committee,which was recently dissolvedbecause all sky boxes were sold.

Graves chaired the Poultry

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Story byAnn Jacobs

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Chairman of the Board Dick Graves was joined by his wife Betty Ann atthe final rodeo performance of 1996, honoring the Show’s outgoing officers.

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Auction Committee from 1979through 1981, was elected as a vicepresident in 1983 and served asofficer in charge of the PoultryAuction, Breeding Poultry, Healthand Sky Box committees.

In 1987, Graves was elected tothe Executive Committee and in1990 was chosen to serve as theShow’s 16th president. After athree-year term as president, hehas served as the organization’schairman of the board for the pastthree years.

Graves’ life has many facetsother than the Show. As the ownerand president of Graco Mechani-cal, Inc., a mechanical contractingfirm, Graves is a practicingmechanical engineer and has beencontinuously innovative in hisfield. He developed a computerprogram dealing with heat gain andloss calculations which permits thedesign of energy conserving airconditioning systems.

He developed another comput-er program dealing with sizingand converting of duct work,which is now public domain soft-ware and widely used throughoutthe industry.

Born in Tonkawa, Okla., Gravesgraduated from San Jacinto HighSchool in Houston. He attendedTexas A&M University and gradu-ated with a bachelor’s degree inengineering in 1951. One year later,he graduated from the U.S. ArmyAviator School and served as a firstlieutenant pilot in the Korean Warfrom 1951 to 1954. Graves rejoinedcivilian life as a sales engineer atGregory Edwards, Inc., and in 1958became president of Massey-Graves Company, Inc., the prede-cessor to Graco.

Graves also is active in a num-ber of charitable organizations

including the 100 Club ofHouston, of which he is a directorand has served as chairman ofnumerous committees. A truefriend of his alma mater, Graves isa member of the 12th ManFoundation, which supports TexasA&M University.

His years of community service— to his school and to others —were recognized in 1995 when hereceived Houston’s OutstandingAggie award, bestowed by theHouston A&M Club. This award ispresented to a former student whobest exemplified those character-istics to which all Aggies aspire:the love of and service to theschool; service to the community,state and nation; and outstandingcontribution to his profession orindustry.

Recognition of Graves’ contribu-tions has not come just from hisalma mater. Because of his workand dedication to youth throughthe Show, Houston Mayor RobertC. Lanier proclaimed April 23,1993, “Dick Graves Day” in the cityof Houston.

Graves is married to Betty Ann,his junior high school sweetheart.A staunch supporter of hisinvolvement at the Show, the “firstlady” attended every Show perfor-mance with her husband. Theyhave three sons, one daughter andnine grandchildren. “My sons runthe company so I can work at theShow,” said Dick.

For many years they owned aranch near Hempstead, Texas,where they ran cattle and “workedall weekend.” Today, Graves owns221 acres near Lyons, Texas, wherehe and his wife love to get awayand relax.

Although he says somewhatjokingly he wouldn’t do it again,

the record reflects that Dick Graveshas always answered the call toduty in support of the HoustonLivestock Show and Rodeo. It isclear that serving as president andchairman of the board of the Showhas been one of the greatest andmost satisfying accomplishmentsof Graves’ life.

There is no doubt that he willcontinue to be very active as amember of the ExecutiveCommittee; however, regardless ofthe extent of his future involve-ment, his sense of fun and thatunique feeling of belonging hehelps create in each memberof the Show will long endure.

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F E A T U R E

In the last six years as president and chair-man of the board, Dick Graves rode in everygrand entry at the rodeo performances.

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or the first time in thisdecade, Ty Murray cameto the Houston Rodeo

without even the slightest chanceto nab the All-Around Cowboyhonors, but that doesn’t mean theworld champion cowboy wasn’t allover the place.

Sidelined by double kneesurgery last year, Murray made thetrip to Houston — the world’s rich-est regular-season rodeo andMurray’s self-proclaimed favoriteon the PRCA tour — not to com-pete, but to promote. “It’s great to behere. I’ve always had a lot of luck

here in the past, and it’s no secretthat Houston’s my favorite rodeonext to the National Finals,”Murray said.

The king of cowboys helped kickoff the city’s biggest event by serv-ing as grand marshal of the annualdowntown rodeo parade — the firstrodeo competitor ever to do so.

“As the most popular cowboy inthe sport, Ty Murray gave the paradea new excitement for not only thethousands in the crowd, but for theparticipants and the ParadeCommittee members as well,” saidGeorge McAteer, committee chair-

man. “I wish we could have himback in the years to come.”

And, rodeo spectators and fansthroughout the country were treat-ed to Murray’s perspective on thesport of rodeo as he stepped behindthe announcer’s microphone to addcolor commentary to the trio ofRODEOHOUSTON pay-per-view tele-casts. His insight provided a newforum for rodeo events in Houston,giving fans a mini-education in thevery events which have made him aworld champion.

“It’s a little different for me tobe on the other side of the chutes,”

N O T Y O U R A V E R A G E C O W B O Y

Story by Beth Johnson

12

F E A T U R E

F

A six-time All-Around world champion cowboy, Ty Murray (right) added his personal rodeo expertise to theShow’s experienced announcer team, led by Bob Tallman.

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Murray said to a crowd of 50,000rodeo fans, “But it’s great to beback here.”

As a color commentator, Murrayexplained everything from thebucking action of horses andspurring techniques to the balanceneeded to ride roughstock eventsand the precise reasons for disqual-ified rides.

“I don’t want to have a careeras an announcer, but I want to beable to give rodeo fans someinsight,” said Murray, who alsohandled commentary duties forESPN and ESPN2 during the 1995National Finals Rodeo broadcasts.“I think it helps the sport and thespectators to enjoy it more. If I’ma fan, I want somebody who hasthe right to brag telling me aboutwhat’s going on. When you’rewatching football on television,you’re getting to hear about thegame from the guys who played.”

Murray said his new dutieshave increased his respect for theprofession, but it’s still “five thou-sand times more difficult to climbinto the chute and on to the backof a bull than on to the announc-ers’ stand.”

“In my 30-year career in therodeo industry, I have met manymulti-talented people — Ty is inthe top of the best I’ve known,” saidBob Tallman, Houston’s veteranrodeo announcer for 15 years. “Notonly can he ride, rope and give theaudience the energy it deservesfrom his appearance as a great ath-lete, but he can courageously diver-sify his talents and join a broadcastteam, dedicating 101 percent to bein a professional mind and voice.He was without a doubt an additiveto this Show, not just another seatin the broadcast booth.”

Although Murray is certainly afavorite cowboy to watch atop a

feisty bull or a bucking bronc, theroaring applause he received as acommentator gave every indicationthat he was exciting the crowd in adifferent way behind the micro-phone instead of in the arena.

While in town, between inter-views and appearances, Murray con-tinued the daily rehabilitation he’sbeen undergoing since surgeries lastsummer. Houston’s 1994 All-Around Champion Cowboy, Murrayhad hoped to be back in top form tocompete in the Astrodome in his trioof roughstock events — bareback,saddle bronc and bull riding.

“When I come back, I’m going tojump into all three events at once —I’m not going to ease into it,”Murray said. “If I was ready forHouston, this would have been it,but I’m not quite there.”

The 26-year-old champion hopesto return to the arena refreshed andready to contend once more for thecoveted world all-around title — anhonor he captured for six consecu-tive years prior to 1995.

“You get drained mentally andphysically, and the travel can getyou down,” Murray remarked.“You’ve got to train yourself for theride every night, whether you’re inHouston or Little Rock, Ark. Thehorses and bulls don’t care whichrodeo it is.”

Murray’s surgery and rehabilita-tion period prevented him frompossibly clinching the top title inrodeo for the seventh year in a row.But he said — even if he doesn’tearn another championship bucklefrom the Professional RodeoCowboys Association — that’s allright, too.

“I really don’t have anything leftto prove,” Murray said. “I’m in thesport for the self-satisfaction. In thebeginning, the buckles were impor-tant, but everything I have been

doing for the past couple of years isfor me. To dedicate yourself to asport like I have, you have to loveit...and I do.”

Rodeo fans will soon be able toread a lot about this talented, ath-letic cowboy in a book he has beenworking on with Kendra Santos, afreelance writer and former editor

of the ProRodeo Sports News.“It has been a really busy time

in my life, and it’s been a lot ofwork to do a book. I didn’t realizehow hard it would be explainingthings on paper,” Murray said ofthe project.

In the meantime, it’s only a mat-ter of months before HoustonRodeo fans will hopefully see themaster of the sport reignagain in the Dome.

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F E A T U R E

As one of the Show’s color commentators, TyMurray quickly adapted to the technology ofannouncing in the Astrodome

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O U T G O I N G V I C E P R E S I D E N T S

s men and women worktheir ways up through theranks of committee vol-

unteers, captains, vice chairmenand committee chairmen, 13 arerewarded with even more hardwork and responsibility, as they areselected to represent the HoustonLivestock Show and Rodeo as vicepresidents.

At times they sound and act a lotlike candidates seeking nomina-tion. Their hands are busy greetingcrowds of old and new constituentswith familiarity. They exchangegreetings, listening to names andmessages others share.

Frequently, they are turned asidein whispered communicationwhich may offer solutions to seri-ous problems or simply provide afootnote allowing them to match aname to a face. Their messageseems to reflect the party line,“What’s best for the Show.” Theyare slow to criticize. Slower to takeany credit for themselves. Quick toacknowledge the quality of theShow’s 11,750 volunteers, but evenquicker to share the stories of veryreal young people and their fami-lies whose lives have been dramati-cally affected by the HoustonLivestock Show and Rodeo.

Who are these ambassadors whorepresent the Show across Texasand beyond? Here are the five vicepresidents who will end theirtenure following the ‘96 Show:

As an officer in charge, theresponsibilities of George A.DeMontrond III extend from theMembership Committee, whichcompletes the bulk of its workbefore the Show begins, to the SteerAuction Committee, which coordi-nates one of the Show’s final

events. In addition, he is responsi-ble for the expanding activities ofthe Black Go Texan and Go Tejanocommittees, as well as the BreedingPoultry Committee.

Does he have a favorite commit-tee? “That’s like being asked toname your favorite child. It isn’tpossible!” DeMontrond recountedwith pride the accomplishments ofthe Show’s volunteer committeesover which he serves, and his chair-men who are charged to make eachfunction of the Show more enter-taining to the public, more support-ive of the participants, and morevolunteer friendly (“with less wearand tear on our committeemen”).As he said, “They have made myjob an enjoyable reward rather thana chore.

“Always keep the big picture inmind. Remember, the publicdeserves a good show, theexhibitors and scholarship recipi-ents deserve our financial supportand above all, our volunteersdeserve the right to have a goodtime while doing their jobs.”

During his tenure, C.R. “Bob”Devine served as the officer incharge of the 15 Corral Club committees, Committeemen’sAppreciation Bar-B-Que, SpecialChildren and Junior Horse JudgingContest committees.

For him, the continued growthof the Show’s committees, volun-teers and scholarships has translat-ed into a team concept of strongmanagement requiring depth ofleadership which he describes as,“Can do: We take care of businessby quietly doing the best job.

“Everybody ought to give some-thing back to the community,” heremarked. Then he paused to men-

tion his mentors, ExecutiveCommittee member John O. Smithand lifetime vice president LarryCarroll. “Their guidance, ‘Decidewhat’s best for the Show and you,’not only helped me do a better jobbut to enjoy it.”

Wayne Hollis’ list of committeesover the last three years readslonger than some small-townphone books: Commercial Exhibits,Directions and Assistance, Eventsand Functions, AgriculturalEducation Tour Guide, Graphicsand Signage, Junior CommercialSteer Feeding and ManagementContest and Breeders Greeters.

Hollis noted that regardless of aperson’s experience, whether he orshe is a rookie or a vice president, avolunteer brings the same things tothe Show — time and effort.

When he shares his thoughts, healways finds a way to include theyouth served by the Show. Hisrespect for the contestants and thedemands they face, such as theiroral and written exams duringJunior Commercial Steer competi-tion, is absolute. He contrasts theirchallenges to his own role as anofficer in charge: “Eighteen-hourdays, new friends, lots of fun, morerecognition than an individualdeserves, and the extremely gratify-ing feeling of being involved withthe youth of this great state.”

Jim Janke tells his committees —Calf Scramble, Calf ScrambleDonors, Calf Scramble Greeters,Calf Scramble Advisory, Parade,Lamb Auction, Range and PasturePlant Identification Contest: “Do

Story by Pat Scherrieb

14

O F F I C E R P R O F I L E S

A

C.R. “Bob” Devine

Wayne Hollis Jr.

Jim Janke

George A.DeMontrond III

the best you can and the best willcome back to you.” This “backboneof care” has taken on even moreimportance as he has come to real-ize the scope and meaning of theShow around the state as reflectedin the young people’s eyes. Oneyoung lady seated next to him at ascholarship banquet typifies his“Give everything you can” philoso-phy. He discovered that sheplanned to spend her summer asshe had spent the previous eight —driving a tractor and working onher family’s farm.

Janke made it clear he appreci-ates his committees: “They tookme in and made me a part of theircommittee. Like the Show, theybecome part of your blood. Youlove it and them.”

Tom Northrup, whose responsi-bilities include School Art, Sheepand Goat, Resource Renewal,Transportation and Rodeo Expresscommittees, credits his mentor,former Show General ManagerDick Weekley, with providing himwith an insight to what the Showis all about.

“The challenge to preserve thecharacter and quality of the Show’sroots, family life and Western her-itage, and to meet change (which hecalls the Show’s middle name) is inthe hands of a great bunch of com-mittee members.” He credits theShow’s general manger, Dan Gattis,“a superb administrator,” and thevolunteers who provide the Showwith its exceptional reputation.

The enormous commitment oftime and service is not possiblewithout an equally dedicated andsupportive family. MarilynDeMontrond, Mary Lou Devine,Peggy Hollis, Jeanie Janke and KatieNorthrup also graciously acceptedthe challenges of the office. TheShow benefited greatly from thesevice presidential teams.

The last three years have seencountless achievements, includingthe first School Art Auction, aredesigned and expanded commer-cial exhibits layout, the implemen-tation of a sophisticated computer-ized inventory system for theShow’s Corral Clubs, the expansionof Go Texan committees and manyjunior market auction records.

The collaborative leadership ofthese five individuals set the tonefor each of their respective com-mittees and a premier stan-dard for those who follow.

The Show’s outgoing vice presidents (left to right): George A. DeMontrond III, Tom R. Northrup, Jim Janke, Wayne Hollis Jr. and C.R. “Bob” Devine.

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Tom R. Northrup

he Intercollegiate MeatJudging Contest hashad the distinction of

being the “coolest” event at theShow for 17 years. Once a year, onthe last weekend of the Show,teams of students representing theirrespective colleges travel toHouston for an all day Saturdayevaluation and grading contest.

“More than 200 students travelfrom colleges all across the UnitedStates to participate in this veryworthwhile activity,” said Dr.David Mouton, officer in charge ofthe committee.

Up to 10 contestants per school,clad in hard-hats and cooler coats,enter a constant 35-degree meatcooler to view various carcasses andcuts of beef, pork and lamb. The stu-dents are given 15 minutes at a timefor viewing the exhibits, takingnotes and placing the classes.

Following these observationperiods, students then review theirnotes in preparation for answeringquestions. Two uninterrupted peri-ods are allowed for yield grading of

15 beef carcasses and 10 specifica-tion cuts. Schools that have not par-ticipated in other meat judging con-tests comprise Division A, whileteams which have competed regu-larly in other contests are designat-ed as Division B.

Saturday night is spent tabulatingscores in nine categories for individ-ual and team awards presented at anawards breakfast on Sunday morn-ing, the last day of the Show.

Committee Chairman and con-test superintendent John Bellingerfirst brought up the idea for such anevent back in 1979 to the attentionof Don Jobes, assistant general man-ager of the Show. Bellinger, alongwith a group of colleagues associat-ed with the meat industry, puttogether the first contest. This coregroup, themselves former coachesand members of meat judgingteams, conducted the competitionfor 14 years before establishing anofficial committee three years ago.

This contest, organized and coor-dinated by the 25-member commit-tee, offers college students in agricul-

ture programs all over the country achance to practice what they havelearned in the classroom. These stu-dents are prepared for careers in thebeef, dairy, horse, poultry, sheep orswine industries. They may com-plete pre-veterinary medicinerequirements, or qualify for positionsin sales and service, inspection, reg-ulation, research and teaching, breedassociations, extension or manage-ment in an animal industry.

“The preparation for and partici-pation in this contest educatesthese students about the meatindustry, business relationships,competition and life, in general,”said Bellinger. “The experience ofbeing on an intercollegiate judgingteam is invaluable. These studentsare better prepared for the businessworld upon graduation and willmake excellent employees.”

The teams may participate in thisextracurricular activity for only onecalendar year. Due to many stateand federal budget cuts, each stu-dent now must pay a high percent-age of the costs of participating on ateam. While 21 teams from 14 statescompeted in two divisions this year,Bellinger believes that travel costsprevent many more students fromparticipating on judging teams.

The entire competition is held atFreedman Distributors, Inc., whonot only generously provides thelocation for the event, but con-tributes all meat samples for judg-ing as well.

Next time you visit the grocerystore meat case and find that purple grading mark on yourselection, you will recognizehow you have benefited from thetraining and expertise ofthese participants.

C O M M I T T E E S P O T L I G H T

Story by BeverlyRosenbaum

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C O M M I T T E E P R O F I L E

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Intercollegiate Meat Judging Contest Committee

T

Contestants in the Intercollegiate Meat Judging Contest must carefullyexamine various cuts of meat for marbling and other grading characteristics.

uring his term asShow president,Dick Graves recog-

nized the vast number of talentedlawyers among the Show’s dedicat-ed volunteers. He realized theirexpertise would be a tremendousasset, and began calling upon someof these individuals to render opin-ions concerning legal questionswith regard to the organization.

In 1992, the Legal AdvisoryCommittee, consisting of 14 mem-bers, was officially formed. Meetingon a monthly basis, each committeemember works with a Show vicepresident and is responsible forassisting the officers’ committees.The objective of the committee is toprovide timely responses to legalquestions which affect the Show.Inquiries involving indemnityagreements and a variety of othersituations are quickly addressed.

“The committee’s emphasis isnot to make or dictate policy, but toprovide assistance when called,”said Bob Higgs, committee chair-man. “We are very proud of theexcellent communication thatexists between the advisory com-mittee members and vice presi-dents and Executive Committee.”

The Legal Advisory Committeemembers rotate responsibilitieseach year so they maintain a work-ing knowledge of all Show commit-tees and their policies. Membersare bound by attorney-client confi-dentiality and defer to the Show’shired outside council in matters oflitigation.

The committee boasts a broadcross section of talent and expertisein fields such as real estate, civil,consumer, environmental, tax andmedical law,” said Higgs. “Thesemembers are carefully selected, and

their commitment to the Show istremendous.”

An additional enhancement ofthis group is the legal symposiumhosted by the committee. Thiseducational conference, heldannually, offers information affect-ing shows and fairs throughout thecountry. The conference isdesigned for both laymen and legalpersonnel alike.

Timely topics vary from tradeand patent law to legal interpreta-tion of recent hand gun legislation.Guest speakers include state legis-lators, experts in various fields aswell as committee members. Last

year, more than 200 participantsrepresenting major fairs, rodeos andexhibitions attended the confer-ence. This tremendous responseled the committee to work towardan earlier conference date so thatmore participants could avail them-selves of the valuable informationpresented at the symposium.

One of the unique aspects of theLegal Advisory Committee is that it

is the only one of the Show’s vol-unteer committees which is com-pensated. “We are paid the whop-ping sum of one dollar per year inorder to technically establish theattorney-client relationship,” saidHiggs. “I guess you might say ourcommittee’s theme song could be‘Hey, Big Spender.’” In reality, theShow receives expert legal adviceon a variety of issues throughoutthe year for $14.

According to Don D. Jordan,Show president and officer incharge of the committee, “Thecommittee has made a major con-tribution to the overall business

environment of the Show. As thisorganization gets larger and morecomplex, we will see even moreunexpected issues arise. The com-mittee’s expertise will help makesure that we address each situationwith professionalism and accuracy.I personally have been verypleased with the leadership, inter-est and performance of thecommittee.”

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Story by Whitney

Horton

C O M M I T T E E P R O F I L E

Legal Advisory Committee

D

Volunteers, along with employees from fairs and rodeos across the country,attend the Legal Advisory Committee’s annual symposium.

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t just doesn’t seem possiblethat people can get excitedabout cleaning cages

and sweeping sawdust, but themembers of the Show’s RabbitShow Committee enthusiasticallyembrace this task to help maketheir exhibition one of the largest ofits kind in Texas. This year’s rabbitcompetition drew more than 1,600entries from more than 400exhibitors.

“I think one reason rabbits con-tinue to be popular is they are ananimal that city kids can raise andstill participate in the Show,” saidRobert Sorrels, public relationsspokesman and a 22-year veteran ofthe committee.

Chairman Billy Petty, who hasbeen on the committee for 16 years,added, “Rabbits are inexpensiveand not very messy. Kids can raisethem in their backyards, but it takesjust as much dedication to take care

of rabbits as steers.”However, it is the commitment

of the Rabbit Show Committee’s100 member group that helps makethis exhibition an unqualified success.

“We have a lot of people whowork very hard and long hours,”said Sorrels. “For example, we doour own setup and teardown. Thereare four times when we have to takethe cages down, clean them out, fill

them with fresh sawdust and putthem back up.

It takes 50 people about fivehours to do the job each time. It’slots of cleaning and sawdustremoval, but it helps prevent infec-tion and makes a nice, clean placefor the next animal that comes in.”In addition to this kind of back-breaking work, members also lendspecific talents to the three sub-committees: cavy show, financeand special events.

Three years ago, cavies (guineapigs) were introduced into the Show.Currently, this subcommitteeincludes two licensed cavy judgeswho lend their expertise to improv-ing this relatively new exhibit.

Since rabbits are not auctionedat the Show, the members of thefinance subcommittee work yearround to raise thousands of dollarsfor trophies, plaques and cashawards. This year, 45 trophies andplaques and 40 cash awards werepresented to the winners.

The special events subcommit-tee is a small group of individualswho coordinates outside fund rais-ers, like dinners and silent auc-tions. This group also is helping toraise $10,000 to be placed in theShow’s Educational Fund for ascholarship.

One additional group of peopleserves as secretaries to process allof the paperwork that comes in justbefore the competition begins.

Under the leadership of officerin charge Ken Moursund, the com-mittee is a mix of breeders, rabbitregistrars and devotees. Though thejudging during the show is per-formed by three outside licensedrabbit judges, the committee boaststhree licensed judges of its own.

A close-knit crew not afraid of alittle hard work, this bunch of peopleshare a common interest aside fromthe furry creatures: they are passion-ate about supporting today’s youththrough education. “We want to helpthe kids and show them what theycan accomplish,” said Petty.

Sorrels agreed, “We put on therabbit show because we hope toentice people to come to the Showto see the rabbits, and in doing that,we hopefully help raisemoney for scholarships.”

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C O M M I T T E E P R O F I L E

Committee volunteers work with judges and exhibitors to ensure a high-quality breeding rabbit show.

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Rabbit Show Committee

C O M M I T T E E S P O T L I G H T

IStory byYahsmineCatli Cowan

n very little time, one of thenewest committees at theHouston Livestock Show

and Rodeo has become the stan-dard for all livestock shows in theUnited States.

The Veterinarian Com-mittee is only six years old,but its job is critical to boththe exhibitors and to theShow itself. Its goal is toensure all market animalsare free of drug residues.

The committee makessure of this by testing allfirst- and second-placewinners in each of thefour market animal class-es, and by doing randomsamples on all market ani-mals at the Show —lambs, steers, swine andcommercial steers.

Committee membersspend about five to six daysduring the Show testinganimals. Steers are all test-ed right in the Astrohall.However, the lambs andswine are randomly testedduring their respective sift-ings in Rosenberg andBrenham, Texas, as well asat the Astrodome complex.

“The committee is com-prised of 23 practicing vet-erinarians, many of whomrun their own clinics,” said Dr.David Mouton, officer in charge ofthe committee. The group of vetsmeets once prior to the Show toorganize and develop their workschedule. They also are responsiblefor coordinating and ordering alltesting supplies needed for theirduties. These professional vets areassisted by agricultural science and

veterinary students when samplesfor testing are being collected.

There is plenty of good newsabout this committee. Rarely has itfound unapproved substances in

any of the thousands of animalsthat have come through the Showin the last six years. Because thetesting methods have been con-ducted so professionally, manyother livestock shows around thecountry have set up their proce-dures in the same way.

“We’re really proud to say thatour folks have been so diligent in

making sure the testing has beendone very professionally, that all ofthe country looks to our program asthe standard,” said CommitteeChairman Don Goodman, D.V.M.

“Our procedures have beentried and tested, and wehave come out as the modelprogram.”

Once the urine sampleis collected from the ani-mal, it is handed over toone of the vets, whodivides it into two por-tions, putting each sampleinto separate containers,which are then sealed withevidence tape. One goes toa diagnostic laboratory, andthe other is frozen andretained by the Show. Ifthere is ever a question, theShow verifies the first testby sending the frozen sam-ple to a different laboratoryfor testing.

The actual examinationis done at the TexasDiagnostics Lab in CollegeStation, Texas. Show rulesrequire that market animalsnot be within the withdraw-al time of any drug, chemi-cal or feed additive at thetime of weigh-in or a viola-tive sample may cause ananimal to be disqualified.

“We have taken hundreds ofsamples over the years, and rarelywill you find an unapproved sub-stance,” Goodman explained.“These days, everyone has accept-ed the testing as part of theprocess and everyone’s a lot morerelaxed about it now — well,maybe with the exceptionof the animals.”

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Story by Charlotte

Howard

I

C O M M I T T E E P R O F I L E

Veterinarian Committee

Splitting and labeling samples to ensure accuracyand fairness in the Show’s Residue AvoidanceProgram is a major function of the VeterinarianCommittee.

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SUCCESSFrom Page 4

BIG BUCKS IN THE RODEO ARENA

Chad Klein of Jackson, La., rodehis way to Houston’s prestigiousAll-Around Cowboy title after com-peting in the bareback and bull rid-ing events. He added $25,000 inprize money to his $17,958.93 inevent earnings, for a Houston Rodeopaycheck totaling $42,958.93.

Houston’s rodeo competitiondrew a total of 505 contestantscompeting in the Astrodome arenafor a share in $700,758 in prizemoney, the world’s richest regular-season rodeo.

SPACED OUT IN THE DOME

“Hello there, Astrodome. This isColumbia.”

Those were the words spoken byFlight Commander Andy Allen to asold-out rodeo crowd watching a

special audio and video transmis-sion via satellite from the Columbiaspace shuttle on March 2. “We’reabout as far away from Houston asyou can get,” said Allen. “But we’recertainly with you in spirit.”

Announcers Bob Tallman,Boyd Polhamus and Bill Baileyspoke live with Allen andMission Specialist Jeff Hoffmanfor several minutes and presentedthem each with an official Showbelt buckle.

“We sure could have used one ofthose big lassos you have when oursatellite got away,” said Hoffman.“Then we may have been able to getit back.”

In what Tallman described asthe opportunity of a lifetime, thisspectacular transmission fromspace was perhaps one of theShow’s most unique “firsts,” andwas certainly a shining moment forthe Houston Livestock Showand Rodeo.

LOOKING UPFrom Page 9

little. Then, they look mildly dis-tressed, as though to say, “No, it’s amistake.” Finally, they resign them-selves to the moment, pulling onsome emotional bootstraps andrighting themselves for the walkout of the arena.

Some are veterans who havelearned to separate emotion fromthe pragmatism of agribusiness.Some, like the girl who reachesover into the exit chute to pat herpig a last time, are new to the event,and for them the parting is hard.

“‘Never name anything youmight have to eat,’ I always told my

kids,” said Hoss McGhee, a memberof the Show’s Swine AuctionCommittee, who was working thesift arena this year. “They still getattached, though.”

“The kids don’t know it, butthey’re doing more than raising a pig.They’re learning values,” explainedGeorge Krejci, an ag teacher fromFort Bend County. “They’ll tell youthey’re doing it to earn money or it’sjust something to do. But they’relearning about life, about winningand losing, and how to handle both.”

Ultimately, for four days everyyear, the Washington CountyFairgrounds becomes a community.Outwardly, it would seem that thefairgrounds’ inhabitants have been

brought together to achieve a singlepurpose — the sift. But, any wit-ness will tell you there is muchmore going on than swine judging.

Young people learn a great dealabout life and growing up. Familiesstrengthen themselves by partici-pating in a common effort. Teachersmold their students beyond theconfines of a classroom. Peopleenjoy the shared experience thatcomes from living lives tied to agri-culture.

The sift, at its most basic, is tes-timony...confirmation of just howdeeply the Show’s influencepenetrates life in Texas.

An Astrodome crowd watched as Columbiaspace shuttle astronauts Jeff Hoffman (left) andAndy Allen talk to rodeo announcers via livesatellite.

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THE SHOW’S REAL REWARDS

The summer is avery special time forthe Show, as the heartof this organization istruly expressed — thescholarship program.

Houston Metropol-itan recipients will be honored May 21at the Million Dollar Banquet, where$1,170,000 will be presented to students.

Also, Houston-area Hispanic stu-dents will be collecting $300,000 ineducational scholarships on May 23.And Texas 4-H and FFA members willaccept $1,000,000 in scholarshipawards this summer.

As a member of this organization,you have helped benefit the youththroughout Texas in achieving theireducational dreams.

A BIG THANKS!The 1996 Show was a

tremendous success, due inpart to the hard work of theShow’s more than 11,750 com-mittee members.

The Executive Committee,President Don D. Jordan and allof the Show’s officers thankthese volunteers and honortheir tireless contributions tothe Show at the annualCommitteemen’s AppreciationBar-B-Que, Sunday, June 9,beginning at noon in theAstrohall. Come enjoy deli-cious barbecue and live enter-tainment, and know that thisyear’s Show would not havebeen a success without you!

21

…a regular column in H Magazine featuring the Show’s

latest news and highlights as well as the most current

information and important updates.

R O D E O R OU N D - U P

F F A S C H O L A R S H I P P R E S E N T A T I O NThis year, Houston will be the host city for the annual FFA State Convention. As

Texas has the nation’s largest number of FFA members, there will be approximately6,000 delegates attending the event, which will be held in the Astroarena. The pre-sentation of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo educational awards always is ahigh point at the convention, as our Show is the largest single scholarship donor.

The Show’s scholarships will be presented on Wednesday, July 10.

ANNUAL MEETING

The Show’s Annual Meeting willbe held Tuesday, May 21, at 3 p.m. inthe Astroarena Sales Pavilion. AllHouston Livestock Show and Rodeomembers are invited to attend. Arecap of the 1996 Show will be pre-sented, along with a brief summaryfrom each officer regarding his or hercommittees’ achievements.

Members of the board of directorsand new lifetime directors also willbe elected at theAnnual Meeting.

Houston Livestock Show and RodeoP.O. Box 20070Houston, Texas 77225-0070

MAY EVENTS

21 - Annual Meeting, 3p.m.; Sales Pavilion

21 - Metropolitan scholarship presentation

23 - Hispanic scholarship presentation

30 - Board of directors meeting, 5p.m.;Show meeting rooms

JUNE EVENTS

4 - 4-H scholarship presentation; CollegeStation

9 - Committeemen’s Appreciation Bar-B-Que, noon; Astrohall

JULY EVENTS

1 - Final deadline to clear all outstandingaccounts with the Show

4 - 5 - Show offices closed for IndependenceDay holiday

10 - FFA scholarship presentation;Astroarena

S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S

MAY JUNE JULY

654321

7

14

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28 29 30 31

15 16 17 18 19 20

8 9 10 11 13

4

11109876

321

5

12

19

26 27 28 29 30 31

20 21 22 23 24 25

13 14 15 16 17 18

1

876542

9

16

2330 24 25 26 27 28 29

17 18 19 20 21 22

10 11 12 13 14 15

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MAGAZINE

C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S