'John Wayne Day' in Texas honors actor's 108th birthday

Published April 04, 2016

In this photo released by Warner Bros., actor John Wayne plays Ethan Edwards in the 1956 film "The Searchers." The film is among the American Film Institute's best western movies. (AP Photo/Warner Bros.)

Wearing a brown plaid coat worn by John Wayne in 1945's "Flame of Barbary Coast," Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has declared a day in honor of the quintessential screen cowboy.

An avid collector of movie memorabilia, Patrick wore the coat as he presided over the Senate Tuesday.

He declared it John Wayne Day in Texas to mark the Hollywood legend's 108th birthday and named the actor an honorary Texan.

There were proclamations from the House, Senate and Gov. Greg Abbott. Senators told Wayne's visiting children and grandchildren of their love for movies including "True Grit," ''The Searchers," and "Rio Bravo."

Sen. Judith Zaffirini, whose district is near the set of Wayne's 1960 movie "The Alamo," quoted her favorite Wayne-ism: "Talk low, talk slow, and don't say too much."

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