By Johnson H.C.R. No. 176 74R10062 KMP-D 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 mockingbird, and the Guadalupe 1-5 bass are examples of some natural specimens that serve to symbolize 1-6 the great diversity of the Texas landscape, while the state folk 1-7 dance, the square dance, 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 mayhaw as an official State Crop of Texas will provide suitable 1-11 recognition for this delicious agricultural product that has for 1-12 many years been a favorite ingredient in Texas jams and jellies and 1-13 that today is in great demand by fine food and wine connoisseurs 1-14 throughout the world; and 1-15 WHEREAS, A member of the rose family, the mayhaw tree is 1-16 adorned with cascades of snowy white blossoms that form a lovely 1-17 backdrop for the bright yellow and red fruits produced each spring; 1-18 small and apple-like, mayhaws have been prized by generations of 1-19 Texans for use in jams, jellies, pies, cakes, and other savory 1-20 delicacies; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Traditionally this fruit was obtained only by 1-22 determined epicures and adventurous children who braved dangerous 1-23 swamplands and river bottoms in order to find groves of wild mayhaw 1-24 trees; once the trees were located, however, the precious bounty 2-1 was yielded up easily when the limbs of the tree were gently 2-2 shaken; and 2-3 WHEREAS, Through the combined efforts of Texas researchers, 2-4 extension agents, and orchard growers, the mayhaw has been 2-5 successfully cultivated for commercial planting and is now 2-6 harvested in hundreds of small orchards across the State of Texas; 2-7 and 2-8 WHEREAS, Because these delectable fruits fall to the ground 2-9 when ripe, the mayhaw is an ideal agricultural crop that lends 2-10 itself to mechanical harvesting and is suitable for both 2-11 large-scale orchard production and smaller, cottage industry 2-12 production; in addition, the mayhaw has become a popular crop at 2-13 orchards that offer families the opportunity to spend a pleasant 2-14 day in the countryside while they pick fruit for use at home; and 2-15 WHEREAS, The mayhaw has become an economic boon for growers 2-16 in the Lone Star State, who currently cannot produce enough of this 2-17 tasty fruit to meet demand; now a common sight on the shelves of 2-18 grocery stores and gourmet shops, mayhaw products are continuing to 2-19 increase in popularity throughout the world and have helped bring 2-20 prosperity to both producers and processors of Texas agriculture; 2-21 and 2-22 WHEREAS, The successful cultivation of the mayhaw as a 2-23 commercial crop is a tribute to the ingenuity, hard work, and 2-24 cooperation of Texas agriculturalists and producers; Texas is at 2-25 the forefront of efforts to discover new uses for this delicious, 2-26 versatile, and hearty food, which has been a delightful part of our 2-27 state's cuisine and tradition for more than a century, and it is 3-1 indeed fitting that the mayhaw be given special legislative 3-2 recognition and support for its culinary and economic contributions 3-3 to the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it 3-4 RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas 3-5 hereby designate the mayhaw as an official State Crop of Texas.