Texas cities are hankering to get an “Official State Capital” designation for a variety of reasons.  The Legislature is generally eager to hand these out.  myhighplains.com reports on some of the current efforts to achieve immortal fame for some small Texas towns.  For the curious, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission maintains a list of official state capital designations which have been approved by the Legislature.

Jasper wants to be the official Butterfly Capital of Texas; Hico covets the nod for official Steak Capital; and Jim Hogg County wants to be known as the Vaquero Capital.

Hoping to add Hico to that list, state Rep. J.D. Sheffield, R-Gatesville, told the committee the city of 1,300, is home to the annual Texas Steak Cookoff, which draws about 7,000 people one Saturday every year.

“We depend on tourism. It’s a very integral part of us surviving,” said Mike James, executive director of the Hico Economic Development Board.

Several members of the committee grilled Sheffield on his proposal. State Rep. Lyle Larson, R-San Antonio, asked Sheffield, a physician, if he encouraged patients to consume a lot of red meat. Sheffield said Hico was a “great place to go if you love slices of dead cow in various stages of preparation.”

In the interest of full disclosure, Red fully supports designating Hico as the Official Steak Capital of Texas.  Hico hosts the Texas Steak Cookoff on the third Saturday every May.  Red and family have participated for the last several years – even sporting a 7th Place finish a few years ago.  The Cookoff is a lot of fun and helps boost the Hico economy.