H.C.R. No. 94 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, The State of Texas has traditionally recognized a 1-2 variety of official state symbols that embody the proud spirit and 1-3 rich heritage of our state; and 1-4 WHEREAS, The bluebonnet, the Guadalupe bass, and the 1-5 mockingbird are examples of natural specimens that serve to 1-6 symbolize the great diversity of the Texas landscape, while the 1-7 state dish, chili, fittingly represents another aspect of our 1-8 shared culture as Texans; and 1-9 WHEREAS, In keeping with this custom, the designation of the 1-10 monarch butterfly as the official State Insect of Texas will 1-11 provide suitable recognition for this regal inhabitant of the Lone 1-12 Star State; and 1-13 WHEREAS, The monarch butterfly, known to scientists as Danaus 1-14 plexippus, is a familiar and thrilling sight to Texans who play 1-15 host to this beautiful insect each year as it travels southward 1-16 toward the equator; its distinctive rust-colored wings, marked by 1-17 black veins and two rows of white spots, make the monarch butterfly 1-18 instantly recognizable to all; and 1-19 WHEREAS, This stately creature is also renowned for its 1-20 unique ability to evade predators; its main source of nourishment, 1-21 the milkweed plant, contains a form of poison that makes the 1-22 monarch butterfly unpalatable to birds and other hungry critters; 1-23 and 1-24 WHEREAS, Like Texas, the monarch butterfly has inspired 2-1 imitators but remains in a league all its own; the viceroy 2-2 butterfly, whose wings closely resemble those of the monarch, 2-3 manages to avoid being eaten by relying on the reputation of its 2-4 more deadly cousin; and 2-5 WHEREAS, One of the heartiest and most resolute members of 2-6 the insect kingdom, the monarch butterfly migrates nearly 2,000 2-7 miles southward each year in its quest to find a warmer home for 2-8 the winter, descending on the State of Texas for one last rest and 2-9 feeding before it embarks on the final leg of its journey to the 2-10 mountains of Mexico; and 2-11 WHEREAS, The Lone Star State also holds the distinction of 2-12 being the birthplace of this imperial insect; each spring the skies 2-13 over Texas are filled with excitement and color as many thousands 2-14 of these tiny creatures return to the site of their own nativity to 2-15 give birth to a new generation; and 2-16 WHEREAS, Recognizing this butterfly's great affinity for our 2-17 state, the National Monarch Project has designated the Abilene 2-18 Zoological Gardens as the first official sanctuary along the 2-19 eastern migration path, and Texans everywhere can take immense 2-20 pride in the special tie that we share with this magnificent 2-21 creature; and 2-22 WHEREAS, The monarch butterfly is as beautiful and memorable 2-23 as a Texas sunset, soaring above all other insects in its nobility 2-24 and determination, and its unique relationship with Texas makes it 2-25 a truly appropriate symbol of the majestic spirit of the Lone Star 2-26 State; now, therefore, be it 2-27 RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas 3-1 hereby designate the monarch butterfly as the official State Insect 3-2 of Texas.