1-1     By:  Pitts (Senate Sponsor - Nelson)                  H.C.R. No. 14

 1-2           (In the Senate - Received from the House May 8, 1997;

 1-3     May 9, 1997, read first time and referred to Committee on

 1-4     Administration; May 15, 1997, reported favorably by the following

 1-5     vote:  Yeas 6, Nays 0; May 15, 1997, sent to printer.)

 1-6                         HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 1-7           WHEREAS, The crape myrtle has been a distinctive part of the

 1-8     Texas landscape for more than 100 years, and this striking shrub

 1-9     never fails to add a touch of class and beauty to its surroundings;

1-10     and

1-11           WHEREAS, Many Texans appreciate the splendor of the crape

1-12     myrtle and have taken a special interest in its proliferation in

1-13     their communities, making it difficult to traverse our great state

1-14     without witnessing the plant's annual summer flush of color; and

1-15           WHEREAS, Originally imported from China, the crape myrtle,

1-16     Lagerstroemia indica, has thrived in the Lone Star State's often

1-17     brutal climate, and the establishment of these hardy hybrids has

1-18     done much to encourage tourism for many Texas cities while also

1-19     bolstering civic pride among their residents; and

1-20           WHEREAS, In 1857, the wife of Confederate General Sam Bell

1-21     Maxey introduced the crape myrtle to Paris, Texas, and in 1916,

1-22     after a fire devastated this Northeast Texas town, one of the

1-23     community's first beautification projects incorporated these

1-24     colorful shrubs; several years later, newspaper publisher A. G.

1-25     "Pat" Mayse further established the city's link to the plant when

1-26     he sold thousands of crape myrtle seedlings for 25 cents each as

1-27     Paris's residents prepared to celebrate Texas' centennial; and

1-28           WHEREAS, More recently, citizens planted crape myrtles along

1-29     the 18-mile stretch of highway between Paris and the Texas-Oklahoma

1-30     border; this prominent display provides a distinctive welcome to

1-31     travelers entering the Lone Star State from the north and offers a

1-32     memorable Texas farewell to those individuals who must leave the

1-33     friendly confines of our state; and

1-34           WHEREAS, The crape myrtle enjoys an equally prominent

1-35     position in the annals of Waxahachie, where the Crape Myrtle

1-36     Council has endeavored to further beautify this lovely city with

1-37     the addition of 2,000 crape myrtles; community volunteers have

1-38     rallied together to assist in the planting and maintenance of the

1-39     shrubs in a region that already boasts a profusion of these unique

1-40     plants; and

1-41           WHEREAS, Throughout the town, dazzling blooms subtly accent

1-42     the rustic charm of Waxahachie's elaborate Victorian-style homes,

1-43     framing these stunning structures in a springtime explosion of red,

1-44     white, pink, and lavender and enticing visitors from across the

1-45     country to visit this historic city; and

1-46           WHEREAS, The rich soil of Brazos County is epecially suited

1-47     for growing these exquisite plants, and their foliage provides a

1-48     dramatic complement to the county's magnificent oaks for many

1-49     months each year; reflecting their concern for the natural beauty

1-50     and ecology of their community, members of Brazos Beautiful, Inc.,

1-51     have planted crape myrtles in parks and public areas to promote a

1-52     cleaner, healthier, and more attractive environment; and

1-53           WHEREAS, The organization's tireless efforts have greatly

1-54     enhanced College Station's Richard Carter Park, where visitors can

1-55     stroll along paths dotted with more than 20 varieties of crape

1-56     myrtle, delighting in their showy blossoms; gracing urban areas and

1-57     parklands throughout Brazos County, the crape myrtle has come to

1-58     symbolize the community's sense of self-esteem and civic

1-59     cooperation; and

1-60           WHEREAS, The history of the crape myrtle is indelibly linked

1-61     to Lamar County and the city of Paris, and its unique relationship

1-62     with both Waxahachie and Brazos County is also well known among

1-63     Texans; the citizens of these communities and the many

1-64     organizations within them are to be commended as they continue in

 2-1     their efforts to promote the propagation of this enchanting plant

 2-2     in Texas; now, therefore, be it

 2-3           RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas

 2-4     hereby formally recognize the valuable addition of the crape myrtle

 2-5     to our native flora and declare the crape myrtle the Official State

 2-6     Shrub of Texas; and, be it further

 2-7           RESOLVED, That Lamar County be declared the Crape Myrtle

 2-8     County Capital and that Paris, its county seat, be designated the

 2-9     Official Crape Myrtle City for their longtime association with the

2-10     celebrated shrub; and, be it further

2-11           RESOLVED, That Waxahachie be declared the Crape Myrtle

2-12     Capital of Texas and that Brazos County be recognized as an

2-13     Official Crape Myrtle County for their communities' lasting

2-14     contributions to the beautification of Texas.

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