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.