With agriculture as a tenet of our organization, the State Fair of Texas is proud to induct Pete Laney and the late Jim Prewitt to the Texas Heritage Hall of Honor. Established in 1992 to recognize leaders who have made significant contributions to the agricultural heritage of Texas, the Heritage Hall of Honor celebrates the accomplishments of these farmers, ranchers, drovers, inventors, educators, innovators, authors, legislators, and preservationists. Their achievements span more than 170 years, reaching back to the birth of the Texas Republic and extending out to a limitless future.heritage
Considered annually, inductions are considered for both living and deceased nominees. This year, two deserving individuals will join the more than 70 men and women previously inducted. On Tuesday, April 19, Pete Laney and Jim Prewitt will be inducted into the Texas Heritage Hall of Honor, located in the Briscoe Carpenter Livestock Center. The induction will celebrate their achievements and contributions that helped establish Texas as a premier agricultural leader in the nation.
Born in Hale Center, Texas, James E. “Pete” Laney is a third-generation cotton farmer who served in the Texas House of Representatives for more than 30 years, including five terms as Speaker of the House. During his tenure as Speaker, the House enacted the most comprehensive water plan in Texas history, invested budget surplus into public education, child health care, and tax cuts, passed legislation providing health care coverage for public school teachers, and created the Office of Rural Community Affairs to address the needs of rural Texans.
Jim Prewitt of Kirbyville served as founder, president, and CEO of Landmark Nurseries, Inc. Along with his wife of 58 years, Paula, Landmark Nurseries grew into one of the largest wholesale growers/distributors in Texas. A tireless proponent of giving back, Prewitt enriched the lives of young Texans through his philanthropic commitment and service. His generous support for FFA, 4-H, the State Fair of Texas, and many other youth livestock shows provided hundreds of kids with financial scholarships to attend universities across Texas and the United States.
The State Fair of Texas is a celebration of all things Texan. There is no better way to learn about agriculture and Texas heritage than by walking through the livestock barns or the Briscoe Carpenter Livestock Center during the State Fair. Be sure to stop by the Heritage Hall of Honor, located on the second floor of the Briscoe Carpenter Livestock Center, or visit BigTex.com/supporting-texans/agriculture/hall-of-honor to view all of the inductees and learn more about the program.