Sierra Vista Company

Office of the Governor  

  PROCLAMATION  

  *OFFICIAL CENTENNIAL YEAR OF THE ARIZONA RANGERS*  

WHEREAS, the law enforcement organization known as the Territorial Arizona Rangers was created by Arizona Territorial Governor Nathan Oakes Murphy and established in law by the Twenty-First Legislative Assembly in March 1901; and 

WHEREAS, the Arizona Rangers were the first, and sometimes the only, line of defense for the residents of Arizona, putting their lives on the line every day as our peace officers throughout the state do today; and

 WHEREAS, the Arizona Rangers were legendary protectors of life and property, sometimes braving the elements in the saddle for months at a time, tough yet compassionate, relentless yet fair, and feared by criminals yet respected by all; and 

WHEREAS, the Arizona Rangers were disbanded in 1909 only to be re-established in 1957 as an outstanding volunteer organization still dedicated to the public safety and welfare of its fellow citizens, and to preserving the history of the original guardians of our state; and

 WHEREAS, the current Arizona Rangers consist of caring neighbors and friends who have an unselfish devotion to the ideals and values that have always made our State great, and who volunteer countless hours through their many Arizona Ranger Companies by providing valuable assistance to law enforcement agencies across the state in operations of search and rescue, disaster sites, traffic and crowd control, and vital DUI task forces, as well as being there at our toughest times, when one of Arizona’s finest has fallen having made the ultimate sacrifice; and 

WHEREAS, the Arizona Rangers provide time, energy and financial resources for numerous youth activities and charitable events that depend on the service of these dedicated men and women; and

 WHEREAS, the Arizona Rangers serve as a constant reminder of the tradition and honor of our state’s original heroes, by keeping alive our rich and colorful Western heritage while at the same time serving as models of unmatched patriotism for our state and our nation;

 NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jane Dee Hull, Governor of the State of Arizona, and honorary Chief Arizona Ranger, do hereby proclaim 2001 as the

 *OFFICIAL CENTENNIAL YEAR OF THE ARIZONA RANGERS* 

in the State of Arizona and urge all citizens to express their gratitude and appreciation to its dedicated members, “the few but proud, then and now”, for their unwavering public service to the State of Arizona.  

(Signatures are facsimiles)