By: Herrero H.R. No. 10
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
 
         WHEREAS, The Robstown Hardware Company, long a mainstay of
  the farming and ranching community in South Texas, is celebrating
  its 100th anniversary in 2013; and
         WHEREAS, The company was founded in downtown Robstown by
  Edwin Flato as a hardware store, an appliance and furniture
  retailer, and a John Deere tractor dealership; managed by company
  president Harry Nichols, Robstown Hardware also included an
  ambulance service and a funeral home; and
         WHEREAS, The business grew and prospered over the next 60
  years, and in 1974 it moved to its present location on Highway 77;
  around the same time, it became primarily a John Deere dealership,
  selling a line that ranged from riding lawn mowers to ranch tractors
  and small construction equipment; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Nichols retired in 1981 after 68 years as
  company president, and the dealership was purchased by King Ranch,
  Inc.; the company added farm tires and tracks to its inventory in
  1995, and today, under the leadership of general manager Andy
  Pollard, Robstown Hardware continues to be one of the leading
  agricultural equipment dealers in South Texas, with a large staff
  of certified technicians who can provide service to tractors and
  other equipment in the field; and
         WHEREAS, Robstown Hardware has also long been active in the
  community as a sponsor of farm and ranch shows, junior livestock
  shows, 4-H tractor driving and safety events, and customer
  appreciation days; in addition, it has supported the efforts of
  county extension programs, funded scholarships, and participated
  in the Relay for Life cancer fund-raising events; and
         WHEREAS, Locally owned and operated businesses play a vital
  role in the economy and culture of Texas, and all those associated
  with Robstown Hardware can take great pride in the contributions
  the company has made to the surrounding region over the past 100
  years; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
  Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby congratulate the Robstown
  Hardware Company on its centennial and extend to the company's
  owners and staff sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be
  it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for the Robstown Hardware Company as an expression of high
  regard by the Texas House of Representatives.