MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Butler, Blount
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING TAYLOR MCNAIR FROM LEARNED, MISSISSIPPI, FOR WINNING THE 2019 MISS RODEO AMERICA PAGEANT IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA.
WHEREAS, a Learned, Mississippi, "cowgirl" was crowned the 2019 Miss Rodeo America contest winner on December 9, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada. She competed with 27 other women for the title. Taylor McNair, 23, says she hopes to be remembered for building relationships with behind-the-scenes rodeo personnel; and
WHEREAS, Taylor, who grew up on a farm, has a Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Business from Mississippi State University. She won $20,000.00 in scholarships in the pageant, which she says she will use for law school. As part of the week-long pageant, Taylor performed in a Horsemanship Competition and a Fashion Show and took a written test on Equine Science and Rodeo Knowledge. Two of the four judges who chose McNair said she exhibited "queen-like" qualities; and
WHEREAS, Taylor said she looked forward to the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she was introduced as the new 2019 Miss Rodeo America. It was the first of about 100 rodeos she will attend in 2019; and
WHEREAS, Taylor is now a proud third-generation farmer and rancher. Taylor's grandfather and father fulfilled a lifelong dream and established a farm of their own, McNair Farms. What began as a dream has now expanded to more than 100 head of beef cattle and 2,800 acres of row crops. Mississippi's involvement with 4-H brought Taylor even closer to her agriculture-centered lifestyle. She exhibited beef cattle, horses, dairy goats, market hogs, market lambs and poultry. Retrospectively, Taylor knows that the skills she developed from showing livestock and working on the farm have instilled the strong character and determination she possesses today. Taylor said, "It has deepened my love for our agriculture community, heightened my respect for farmers and ranchers, and given me the desire to pursue a career in agriculture myself"; and
WHEREAS, rodeo has been a very important part of Taylor's life for the past nine years. Not only has she enjoyed competing in barrel racing but also competing and holding rodeo queen titles, most notably Miss Dixie National 2014 and Miss Rodeo Mid-South 2016. On January 13, 2018, Taylor was crowned Miss Rodeo Mississippi. As the 42nd young woman to wear the crown, Taylor had the opportunity to travel and promote the State of Mississippi, its agricultural roots, and professional rodeo for the year of 2018. As Miss Rodeo Mississippi, Taylor traveled thousands of miles to showcase Mississippi and educate those outside of the rodeo community about the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. She prides herself on being a knowledgeable and approachable representative. As Miss Rodeo America 2019, Taylor began her duties by attending press conferences immediately following her coronation and spent the remainder of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo attending appearances with Miss Rodeo America 2018, Keri Sheffield, of Florida. Taylor will spend 2019 traveling more than 100,000 miles across the country representing the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association as our First Lady of Rodeo; and
WHEREAS, the annual Miss Rodeo America Pageant is showcased in the "City of Lights," Las Vegas, Nevada. The pageant is held in conjunction with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Annual Convention and the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, which compliment the beauty, talent and integrity of the Miss Rodeo America Pageant. For today's rodeo fans, it is difficult to imagine the world of professional rodeo without her: her charm, her ability, and most importantly, her knack for turning rodeo spectators into rodeo fans. Miss Rodeo America is a part of history: yesterday, today and tomorrow; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize a young Mississippian who has brought honor to her family, the agricultural community and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Taylor McNair from Learned, Mississippi, for winning the 2019 Miss Rodeo America Pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada, and extend our best wishes for success in her future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Taylor McNair and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.