By Wise                                              H.C.R. No. 229

         75R13544 JHS-D                           

                             HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 1-1           WHEREAS, April 19, 1997, marked the eighth anniversary of the

 1-2     Texas Rio Grande Valley Onion Festival, and this unique event is

 1-3     truly deserving of special legislative recognition; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, Since 1990, citizens of Weslaco have hosted this

 1-5     exciting gathering, which celebrates the Texas sweet onion with

 1-6     typically Texan enthusiasm; this year's event featured such

 1-7     favorite activities as onion ring cooking and onion clipping

 1-8     contests as well as the celebrity onion-eating competition; and

 1-9           WHEREAS, The popular onion recipe contest provides

1-10     festival-goers with the opportunity to sample the many distinctive

1-11     onion-based dishes on hand and recognizes individuals who have

1-12     succeeded in creating daring and delicious taste sensations that

1-13     demonstrate the versatility of this native herb; and

1-14           WHEREAS, The celebratory atmosphere also includes clowns,

1-15     storytellers, and magicians to amuse, enthrall, and amaze younger

1-16     visitors, while adults can find a multitude of handmade items at

1-17     the annual arts and crafts show or tour special attractions such as

1-18     this year's antique car show; and

1-19           WHEREAS, The Texas Rio Grande Valley Onion Festival has

1-20     earned a special place among the Lone Star State's numerous annual

1-21     events, and the organizers of this outstanding event are to be

1-22     commended for their ongoing efforts to promote the Texas sweet

1-23     onion; now, therefore, be it

1-24           RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas

 2-1     hereby declare the Texas Rio Grande Valley Onion Festival the

 2-2     Official State Onion Festival of Texas and honor all those who have

 2-3     devoted themselves to the success of this event over the course of

 2-4     the past eight years.