73R3250 NBM-F
          By Culberson                                          H.C.R. No. 45
                              HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
    1-1        WHEREAS, The Texas Legislature takes special pleasure in
    1-2  recognizing the Katy Rice Harvest Festival, sponsored by the
    1-3  Greater Katy Area Chamber of Commerce, as the Official Rice Harvest
    1-4  Festival of Texas; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, Started by Mrs. W. E. Morgan, a farmer, rancher, and
    1-6  lifelong resident of the community, the festival was originally
    1-7  held in a barn at Katy High School and planned as an old-fashioned
    1-8  fair; various items of local origin--quilts and sewing projects,
    1-9  arts and crafts, canned food and baked goods, and produce and
   1-10  livestock--were displayed, admired, judged, and sold that day; and
   1-11        WHEREAS, One year later, the Katy Rice Harvest Festival
   1-12  assumed much larger proportions under the able guidance of Alice
   1-13  Weinman, the president of the Greater Katy Area Chamber of
   1-14  Commerce, who extended the celebration to include residents and
   1-15  organizations from surrounding areas; and
   1-16        WHEREAS, This community-wide celebration was held on the Katy
   1-17  town square and featured square dancing, a rice cook-off, a rice
   1-18  thrashing demonstration, and a Rice Harvest Queen contest; and
   1-19        WHEREAS, Over the years the festival has added even more
   1-20  exciting activities, including a carnival, an evening dance, and
   1-21  the Katy Go Texan barbecue and rice cooking contest; the Katy
   1-22  Volunteer Fire Department and their ladies and junior auxiliaries
   1-23  have lent their support to the festivities by sponsoring a petting
   1-24  zoo and fire truck rides for children and the young at heart; and
    2-1        WHEREAS, This well-loved event provides a delightful
    2-2  opportunity for residents and visitors to the community to shop,
    2-3  participate in special activities, and enjoy local food, arts and
    2-4  crafts, and entertainment; this year the streets of downtown Katy
    2-5  were filled with participants in and spectators of the first annual
    2-6  Rice Harvest Festival Parade; and
    2-7        WHEREAS, For 12 years, the Katy Rice Harvest Festival has
    2-8  offered a time for many citizens to set aside the cares of daily
    2-9  life and enjoy the bounty of a successful harvest season; a tribute
   2-10  to the agricultural heritage of one of the state's major rice
   2-11  growing areas, this popular celebration is truly deserving of
   2-12  legislative praise and support; now, therefore, be it
   2-13        RESOLVED, That the 73rd Legislature of the State of Texas
   2-14  hereby recognize the Katy Rice Harvest Festival as the Official
   2-15  Rice Harvest Festival of Texas and commend all those associated
   2-16  with this renowned event for their hard work in ensuring its
   2-17  continued success.