H.R. No. 510 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Eddie Fanick has become the foremost authority on 1-2 horticulture in the San Antonio area during the past six decades, 1-3 and his knowledge and expertise in this field have enlightened 1-4 countless Texans who have sought his gardening advice; and 1-5 WHEREAS, The proprietor of Fanick's Garden Center since 1946, 1-6 this distinguished gentleman has cultivated an amazing selection of 1-7 plants and trees, offering 115 varieties of pecan trees alone; 1-8 despite its secluded location, the nursery has never needed to 1-9 advertise because customer satisfaction and word-of-mouth bring 1-10 Mr. Fanick all the customers he can serve; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Before embarking on his career in horticulture, 1-12 Mr. Fanick worked in the hard-goods business and as a delivery 1-13 driver for the Mistletoe Creamery; he indulged his love for 1-14 gardening through his part-time business, Gardens of Iris, and by 1-15 leasing land on which he could grow more plants; and 1-16 WHEREAS, His life changed when he was given seeds for a new 1-17 red morning glory; after successfully growing the flowers and 1-18 harvesting their seeds, he was offered $900 for the Scarlett O'Hara 1-19 morning glory seeds, and he used the money to buy the land where 1-20 his nursery now stands; and 1-21 WHEREAS, In 1940, he accepted a job as head gardener of the 1-22 San Antonio Arsenal, and for the next nine years he continued to 1-23 hone his gardening skills there; when offered the choice of either 1-24 transferring to a different location or retiring at the close of 2-1 the war, Mr. Fanick decided to remain in San Antonio and dedicate 2-2 himself to building his own business; and 2-3 WHEREAS, Under his expert direction, the business thrived, 2-4 and today Fanick's Garden Center is known throughout Texas for its 2-5 outstanding selection of trees and plants, including many unique 2-6 specimens that were developed by Mr. Fanick himself; although he 2-7 ended his formal schooling in the third grade, Mr. Fanick 2-8 continually educates himself about developments in his field and 2-9 has amassed a large array of reference books to broaden his 2-10 understanding of botany and horticulture; and 2-11 WHEREAS, This remarkable Texan has shared his vast knowledge 2-12 and experience with other gardeners as a charter member of the 2-13 First Men's Garden Club, which he also helped establish, and as a 2-14 life member of both the San Antonio Men's Garden Club and the 2-15 National Men's Garden Club; and 2-16 WHEREAS, Respected and admired throughout the horticultural 2-17 field for his honesty, integrity, and hard work, Eddie Fanick has 2-18 passed on his love of plants to his children and grandchildren, and 2-19 they will undoubtedly maintain his high standards of customer 2-20 service for future generations of San Antonio gardeners; for well 2-21 over half a century, Mr. Fanick has immeasurably contributed to the 2-22 beautification of homes and gardens throughout Texas, and his noble 2-23 efforts are indeed worthy of highest praise and recognition; now, 2-24 therefore, be it 2-25 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-26 Legislature hereby honor Eddie Fanick for his outstanding career in 2-27 horticulture and extend to him warmest best wishes for continued 3-1 success and happiness in the future; and, be it further 3-2 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-3 prepared for Mr. Fanick as an expression of high regard by the 3-4 Texas House of Representatives.