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.

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