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.