New members named to Texas Heritage Hall of Honor
Five prominent Texans, distinguished by their contributions to agriculture and ranching, have been selected for induction into the Texas Heritage Hall of Honor on September 26, opening day of the 2008 State Fair of Texas. The new inductees join 49 previously enshrined members.
O.D. Butler, Jr., J. Walter Hammond, John H. Kirby, James L. Powell and Charles W. Stenholm have been elected to membership for 2008. The Texas Heritage Hall of Honor was established in 1992 by the State Fair of Texas to recognize lifetime achievement in agriculture.
In his 50 years at Texas A&M University, Dr. O.D. Butler, Jr. of College Station oversaw an unprecedented era of growth and accomplishments. Research by the longtime head of A&M’s department of animal science led to remarkable changes in the livestock and meats industry. He was instrumental in establishing of the Texas Veterinary Medical Labs. In addition to his academic work, Butler was also a successful rancher and served as president of the American Charolais Association. He died in 1998.
J. Walter Hammond of Taylor was known as the “Father of the Texas Farm Bureau.” He began working with the Texas Agricultural Association, forerunner to the Farm Bureau, as state director in 1935. He was elected president in 1939 and served 15 one-year terms. Membership increased from 5,000 to 72,800 during his tenure. Hammond invented and performed the first scientific terracing of land in Taylor County and is credited with revolutionizing the method of building stock tanks to alleviate the problem of siltation.
In the late nineteenth century, John H. Kirby of Houston envisioned the tremendous possibilities in the lumber resources of East Texas. He founded the Kirby Lumber Company in 1901 and served as president of what became one of the largest manufacturers of southern pine in the United States. Kirby eventually controlled 300,000 acres of timberland. At its peak, between 1910 and 1920, the business had 16,500 employees and included twelve operating mills and five logging camps. Known as the “Prince of the Pines,” Kirby served two terms in the Texas legislature. He died in 1940.
Rancher and banker James L. Powell of Ft. McKavett chaired the board of regents of both the Texas State University System (1976-78) and the University of Texas System (1981-83). He was named “Man of the Year in Texas Agriculture” by Progressive Farmer magazine in 1987 and was inducted into the International Stockman’s School Hall of Fame in 1990. He is a former president of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, the Texas Sheep & Goat Raisers Association and the National Wool Growers Association.
Charles W. (Charlie) Stenholm of Abilene was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for 13 consecutive terms (1979-2005) where he was a ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee. Stenholm was a tireless advocate for farmers and ranchers who left his stamp on every piece of farm legislation enacted over 25 years. He has also served in leadership roles with the Texas Farm Bureau, American Farm Bureau Federation, Plains Cotton Growers and National Cotton Council.
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