HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 1-1           WHEREAS, The Lone Star State is home to many communities

 1-2     whose agricultural enterprise and endeavors comprise the backbone

 1-3     of the state's economy; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, Knox City is home of a unique crop of seedless

 1-5     watermelon which thrives in this community of 1440 with its sandy

 1-6     soil and an average growing season of 217 days; developed in the

 1-7     high plains, the seedless watermelon is a testament of the

 1-8     ingenuity and determination of the people of Knox City and Knox

 1-9     County to produce a fruitful crop from the often unforgiving

1-10     terrain; and

1-11           WHEREAS, Johnson's Farms, operated by the families of Donald

1-12     Johnson and his son, Dwayne Johnson, served as the birthplace of

1-13     this landmark innovation in agricultural history; the produce is

1-14     shipped to every state in the union and has gained worldwide

1-15     prominence in the global market; the success of the seedless

1-16     watermelon has seen operations expand to California, Mexico,

1-17     Central America, and Israel with the seeds produced in Knox City

1-18     being sold to other operations; and

1-19           WHEREAS, Knox City plays annual host to the Seedless

1-20     Watermelon Festival held each July; which serves to promote the

1-21     area's most treasured commodity and attracts tourists from around

1-22     the state and nation; the event also serves as a community reunion

1-23     where friends and families come together each year to renew

1-24     friendships and share in fellowship; and

 2-1           WHEREAS, The ever increasing popularity and availability of

 2-2     the seedless watermelon has been of significant impact to the

 2-3     community's agricultural production and overall economy; now,

 2-4     therefore, be it

 2-5           RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas

 2-6     hereby designate Knox City as the Seedless Watermelon Capitol of

 2-7     Texas; and, be it further

 2-8           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

 2-9     prepared for Knox City as an expression of highest regard by the

2-10     Texas House of Representatives and Senate.

                                                                      Counts

         _______________________________     _______________________________

             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.C.R. No. 245 was adopted by the House on May

         15, 1997, by a non-record vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House

               I certify that H.C.R. No. 245 was adopted by the Senate on

         June 2, 1997, by a viva-voce vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Secretary of the Senate

         APPROVED:  _____________________

                            Date

                    _____________________

                          Governor