By:  Hernandez                                         H.R. No. 851
       73R11866 SAJ-D
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor
    1-2  the Texas Master Gardener Program of the Texas Agricultural
    1-3  Extension Service for the commendable service it performs in
    1-4  providing horticultural and environmental education to countless
    1-5  Texans throughout the Lone Star State; and
    1-6        WHEREAS, This admirable volunteer program has been eminently
    1-7  successful in advising Texans about gardening and landscaping; by
    1-8  staffing extension office telephones, organizing mall displays,
    1-9  cosponsoring xeriscape contests, and conducting local clinics and
   1-10  presentations, including media appearances, volunteers have worked
   1-11  to improve the public's awareness of the environment and
   1-12  horticulture; and
   1-13        WHEREAS, Its innovative and inspiring programs include
   1-14  several projects that introduce the youth of Texas, and especially
   1-15  inner-city and at-risk youths, to gardening through an array of
   1-16  activities, including classroom garden projects, teaching gardens,
   1-17  and other programs led by master gardeners; and
   1-18        WHEREAS, The program has benefitted the state economically as
   1-19  well; in 1992, its master gardener volunteers generously provided
   1-20  over 45,000 hours in support of Texas Agricultural Extension
   1-21  Service programs, contributing efforts that had an economic value
   1-22  of more than $400,000; and
   1-23        WHEREAS, Texans of all ages have benefitted greatly from the
   1-24  services offered by the Texas Master Gardener Program and from the
    2-1  dedicated service of its fine volunteers, and it is most fitting
    2-2  that this outstanding program be given special legislative praise
    2-3  and recognition; now, therefore, be it
    2-4        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
    2-5  Legislature hereby designate the week of August 9-14, 1993,
    2-6  coinciding with the International Master Gardener Conference in San
    2-7  Antonio, as Master Gardener Week in Texas and commend the Texas
    2-8  Master Gardener Program of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service
    2-9  and the many volunteers who have made the program a success.