1-1 By: Counts (Senate Sponsor - Haywood) H.C.R. No. 245 1-2 (In the Senate - Received from the House May 15, 1997; 1-3 May 16, 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 is home to many communities 1-8 whose agricultural enterprise and endeavors comprise the backbone 1-9 of the state's economy; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Knox City is home of a unique crop of seedless 1-11 watermelon which thrives in this community of 1440 with its sandy 1-12 soil and an average growing season of 217 days; developed in the 1-13 high plains, the seedless watermelon is a testament of the 1-14 ingenuity and determination of the people of Knox City and Knox 1-15 County to produce a fruitful crop from the often unforgiving 1-16 terrain; and 1-17 WHEREAS, Johnson's Farms, operated by the families of Donald 1-18 Johnson and his son, Dwayne Johnson, served as the birthplace of 1-19 this landmark innovation in agricultural history; the produce is 1-20 shipped to every state in the union and has gained worldwide 1-21 prominence in the global market; the success of the seedless 1-22 watermelon has seen operations expand to California, Mexico, 1-23 Central America, and Israel with the seeds produced in Knox City 1-24 being sold to other operations; and 1-25 WHEREAS, Knox City plays annual host to the Seedless 1-26 Watermelon Festival held each July; which serves to promote the 1-27 area's most treasured commodity and attracts tourists from around 1-28 the state and nation; the event also serves as a community reunion 1-29 where friends and families come together each year to renew 1-30 friendships and share in fellowship; and 1-31 WHEREAS, the ever increasing popularity and availability of 1-32 the seedless watermelon has been of significant impact to the 1-33 community's agricultural production and overall economy; now, 1-34 therefore, be it 1-35 RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas 1-36 hereby designate Knox City as the Seedless Watermelon Capitol of 1-37 Texas; and, be it further 1-38 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 1-39 prepared for Knox City as an expression of highest regard by the 1-40 Texas House of Representatives and Senate. 1-41 * * * * *