By Wise H.R. No. 304 75R8486 BNL-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The citizens of Hidalgo County have selected March 1-2 13, 1997, as Grapefruit Day at the State Capitol, and this provides 1-3 a fitting opportunity to pay tribute to one of our state's most 1-4 significant commercial crops; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Thanks to an ideal combination of environmental 1-6 factors, the Lower Rio Grande Valley has become a world-renowned 1-7 locale for citrus production, and the Texas Red Grapefruit embodies 1-8 the perfection that can be achieved in these exceptional growing 1-9 conditions; the region's rich soil and uniformly warm growing 1-10 season produce the remarkably sweet taste and deep red color that 1-11 characterize Texas grapefruit, while the moist Gulf breezes ensure 1-12 a thin, smooth peel on the fruit; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Since the development of the Ruby Red grapefruit in 1-14 1929, growers have continually improved and refined their 1-15 agricultural processes to produce today's superior Texas Rio Star 1-16 and Ruby-Sweet varieties, and fruit connoisseurs across the country 1-17 eagerly anticipate the fruit's availability from October through 1-18 May of each year; and 1-19 WHEREAS, Thanks to the efforts of groups such as the Texas 1-20 Produce Association, the Valley's citrus fruits have become 1-21 mainstays of Texas' booming agricultural economy, and today, the 1-22 grapefruit generates more revenue than any other tree fruit 1-23 produced within our borders; and 1-24 WHEREAS, In recognition of its many attributes and its 2-1 contributions to the Lone Star economy, the Texas Red Grapefruit 2-2 has been designated as the official state fruit of Texas, and it is 2-3 indeed appropriate at this time to pay tribute to this outstanding 2-4 agricultural resource, as well as to the men and women who have 2-5 worked to ensure its success in the marketplace; now, therefore, be 2-6 it 2-7 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-8 Legislature hereby welcome the visiting delegation from the Texas 2-9 Produce Association and commend them for their efforts to promote 2-10 the Texas Red Grapefruit at home and abroad; and, be it further 2-11 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-12 prepared for the Texas Produce Association as an expression of high 2-13 regard by the Texas House of Representatives.