By Wise                                                H.R. No. 576

         75R10782 JHS-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The State of Texas has traditionally recognized a

 1-2     variety of official state symbols as tangible representations of

 1-3     the proud spirit and heritage of our state; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, In keeping with this custom, the acknowledgment of

 1-5     the Texas sweet onion as the Official State Vegetable of Texas will

 1-6     provide suitable recognition for this outstanding food; like the

 1-7     bluebonnet, the pecan tree, and the mockingbird, the Texas sweet

 1-8     onion exemplifies the great diversity of flora and fauna found in

 1-9     the Lone Star State; and

1-10           WHEREAS, The well-known 1015 variation of this onion is

1-11     recognized by gourmet chefs and culinary experts from around the

1-12     world for its characteristic sweetness and its inherent properties

1-13     that inhibit tearing of the eyes; it has been carefully nurtured

1-14     and perfected over time and is renowned for its exceptional flavor

1-15     and well-documented nutritive qualities; and

1-16           WHEREAS, The Lone Star State's reputation as a global leader

1-17     in the development of various varietals of vegetables is well

1-18     deserved, and the creation of the 1015 onion as the first sweet

1-19     onion in the world has contributed greatly to this proud legacy;

1-20     and

1-21           WHEREAS, On April 19, 1997, the citizens of Weslaco will pay

1-22     tribute to the 1015 onion when they host the Eighth Annual Texas

1-23     Rio Grande Valley Onion Festival; festival-goers will have the

1-24     opportunity to sample an array of outstanding onion dishes and

 2-1     participate in contests and activities before a backdrop of live

 2-2     musical entertainment; and

 2-3           WHEREAS, Judges will award prizes to contestants in the onion

 2-4     ring cooking contest, the onion clipping contest, and the onion

 2-5     recipe contest, and as a special treat, local celebrities will

 2-6     participate in an onion eating contest that is sure to be a

 2-7     crowd-pleaser; and

 2-8           WHEREAS, The Texas Rio Grande Valley Onion Festival is a

 2-9     celebration of typically Texan dimension, and the Texas sweet onion

2-10     is truly deserving of such a grand occasion; as distinctive as the

2-11     state from which it originates, this native herb will no doubt

2-12     serve as a fitting emblem for the bounties of nature with which our

2-13     state is blessed; now, therefore, be it

2-14           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-15     Legislature hereby recognize the Texas sweet onion as the Official

2-16     State Vegetable of Texas; and, be it further

2-17           RESOLVED, That the Texas House of Representatives commemorate

2-18     the Eighth Annual Texas Rio Grande Valley Onion Festival and honor

2-19     all those who have given generously of their time and talents to

2-20     ensure the success of this year's event.