By Saunders H.C.R. No. 2 74R777 PAN-D HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, Each year, the first full week of June is recognized 1-2 as National Garden Week in many states throughout the nation, and 1-3 with society's ever-increasing interest in the environment and its 1-4 conservation, it is an idea whose time has come; and 1-5 WHEREAS, The observance of National Garden Week was initiated 1-6 in the 1980s by the National Council of State Garden Clubs, Inc., 1-7 to emphasize gardening and its many contributions to all who reap 1-8 its benefits; and 1-9 WHEREAS, The national council is thought by many to be the 1-10 largest volunteer organization of its kind in the world today, with 1-11 a membership of 8,488 clubs composed of 264,440 members who reside 1-12 throughout the 50 states and the District of Columbia; and 1-13 WHEREAS, In the Lone Star State, Texas Garden Clubs, Inc., is 1-14 responsible for countless gardening programs that have helped to 1-15 make this state one of the most popular vacation destinations in 1-16 our country today; and 1-17 WHEREAS, These gardening enthusiasts sponsor numerous 1-18 environmental seminars, educating the public on such important 1-19 topics as clean air and water, releafing for conservation measures, 1-20 landscaping for energy conservation purposes, and litter control; 1-21 and 1-22 WHEREAS, Garden club members work closely with youth groups 1-23 and devote many hours to garden therapy as well, working with the 1-24 elderly, terminally ill, and infirm to share the tranquility and 2-1 serenity that gardening has to offer; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Instrumental in much of the initial planting of 2-3 wildflowers along Texas highways, garden club members have given 2-4 generously of their time and resources through the years to 2-5 preserve and support many fragile ecosystems that are unique to 2-6 Texas, including the Big Thicket, the Wild Basin, and the Wildlife 2-7 Corridor, as well as to support numerous other parks, wildlife 2-8 preserves, and historic preservation efforts; and 2-9 WHEREAS, Many small towns across Texas also depend on the 2-10 philanthropy of garden clubs for beautification projects that can 2-11 give new life to a community; members serve on park boards, 2-12 beautification committees, Keep Texas Beautiful, the Texas Forest 2-13 Service, and conservation groups throughout the state, ensuring 2-14 that our state will be able to preserve the rich legacy of its 2-15 abundant natural resources for future generations of Texans to 2-16 enjoy; and 2-17 WHEREAS, The members of Texas Garden Clubs, Inc., are indeed 2-18 deserving of our appreciation and support for their outstanding 2-19 efforts to promote gardening, conservation, and preservation 2-20 efforts within our state, and it is appropriate that one week each 2-21 year be set aside to pay tribute to this healthful, enjoyable 2-22 hobby; now, therefore, be it 2-23 RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-24 hereby recognize the first full week in June of each year as 2-25 National Garden Week.