1-1 By: Carter (Senate Sponsor - Moncrief) H.C.R. No. 82 1-2 (In the Senate - Received from the House May 10, 1997; 1-3 May 13, 1997, read first time and referred to Committee on 1-4 Administration; May 18, 1997, reported favorably by the following 1-5 vote: Yeas 6, Nays 0; May 18, 1997, sent to printer.) 1-6 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-7 WHEREAS, The Lone Star State's reputation as a haven for 1-8 lovers of hot and spicy food is well deserved, and the native 1-9 chiltepin pepper has contributed greatly to this proud legacy; and 1-10 WHEREAS, A member of the genus Capsicum, the chiltepin grows 1-11 wild in our temperate climate and is both undeniably American and 1-12 typically Texan; its distinctive flavor makes it ideal for hearty 1-13 stews and red-hot Texas chili, and it is a staple in many Tex-Mex 1-14 favorites; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Even the mockingbird, our state bird, recognizes the 1-16 appeal of this piquant pod, choosing to dine on it almost 1-17 exclusively when the pepper is in season; wild turkeys, too, are 1-18 often seen feeding on these tasty little morsels, and these and 1-19 other fruit-eating wild birds play a vital role in the chiltepin's 1-20 proliferation; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Found in abundance from the southern United States 1-22 to northern South America, the chiltepin has been used for many 1-23 years by the various peoples who have populated our great state; 1-24 known variously as chile mosquito and chile bravo, the Spanish 1-25 described this zesty fruit as "arrebatado," meaning that although 1-26 its spiciness is immediate and intense, this bold sensation does 1-27 not linger long; and 1-28 WHEREAS, The chiltepin is used in both fresh and dried forms, 1-29 combined with vinegar to make a tangy sauce or sprinkled into soup 1-30 to provide just the right seasoning; perhaps the most amazing 1-31 attribute of this indigenous spice is that it has been shown to 1-32 increase the human metabolism by as much as 25 percent, making it a 1-33 promising means of controlling weight gain; and 1-34 WHEREAS, The chiltepin's storied history even includes a 1-35 footnote to one of our greatest American presidents, Thomas 1-36 Jefferson; an avid gardener, President Jefferson acquired some of 1-37 these exotic tiny peppers from a fellow horticulturist and 1-38 displayed a keen interest in establishing a market for this Texas 1-39 pepper; and 1-40 WHEREAS, It is important to acknowledge and promote our 1-41 endemic natural resources, for they are an integral part of our 1-42 heritage and help to make us recognizable to other cultures around 1-43 the globe; the chiltepin is Texas' only native pepper, and its long 1-44 history and wide variety of uses make it truly deserving of special 1-45 recognition and endorsement; now, therefore, be it 1-46 RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas 1-47 hereby declare the chiltepin the official State Native Pepper of 1-48 Texas. 1-49 * * * * *