HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, Unpredictable and capricious weather has caused 1-2 extremely heavy spring rains to fall in many areas of the state, 1-3 bringing damage from flooding in several regions, including the Rio 1-4 Grande Valley; and 1-5 WHEREAS, The flooding that has occurred in the Rio Grande 1-6 Valley has had a devastating effect on several crops, including 1-7 melons, onions, carrots, and cabbages; initial estimates indicate 1-8 that approximately 60 percent of the onion crop and 80 percent of 1-9 the melon crop were destroyed by unseasonably heavy rains; and 1-10 WHEREAS, The direct economic impact of flood damage to crops 1-11 translates to a $50 million loss for valley growers, and indirect 1-12 impacts are estimated to cost the Rio Grande Valley region a total 1-13 of $66 million and 2,000 lost jobs; and 1-14 WHEREAS, In the past four years, farmers in this area of the 1-15 state have seen their fields wither under scorching drought 1-16 conditions and have recently had to wade through flooded fields in 1-17 order to salvage the remainder of this year's meager harvest; and 1-18 WHEREAS, Agricultural production in Texas benefits not only 1-19 the residents of this state but also millions across America who 1-20 dine on our excellent produce; it is imperative that the farmers 1-21 affected by spring flooding receive assistance to weather this 1-22 current economic storm; now, therefore, be it 1-23 RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas 1-24 endorse actions for securing federal disaster relief for the Rio 2-1 Grande Valley and encourage the governor of the State of Texas to 2-2 support requests for federal disaster relief assistance; and, be it 2-3 further 2-4 RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward an official 2-5 copy of this resolution to the governor of the State of Texas. Gutierrez _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 306 was adopted by the House on May 27, 1997, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 306 was adopted by the Senate on May 29, 1997, by a viva-voce vote. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor