R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, No flower other than the Texas bluebonnet can

 1-2     capture the unique spirit of the Lone Star State or invoke feelings

 1-3     of state pride and loyalty; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, The bluebonnet was officially designated the Texas

 1-5     state flower on March 7, 1901, and after recognizing that there are

 1-6     six species of the state flower, the Texas Legislature amended this

 1-7     designation in 1971 by adding "any other variety of Bluebonnet not

 1-8     heretofore recorded"; and

 1-9           WHEREAS, The long-stem bluebonnet (Lupinus havardii) is found

1-10     growing only in a narrow band along the Rio Grande in the state's

1-11     Big Bend region; and this long-stem variety has been developed into

1-12     a florist-quality, commercial cut-flower variety after five years

1-13     of research and marketing studies begun in 1989 by Texas A&M

1-14     University; and

1-15           WHEREAS, The Texas Department of Agriculture funded in the

1-16     spring of 1995 a two-year marketing test that allowed researchers

1-17     to grow and test market the flowers in Dallas and El Paso; and this

1-18     test proved long-stem bluebonnets were extremely popular with

1-19     consumers; and

1-20           WHEREAS, The commercial variety of the long-stem bluebonnet

1-21     is in demand by the florist industry for its color and fragrance;

1-22     blue flowers are prized for floral arrangements because this color

1-23     in nature is a rarity; and also because strong fragrances are

1-24     rarely found in the majority of commercially bred cut flowers; and

 2-1           WHEREAS, The commercial long-stem bluebonnet offers a great

 2-2     potential for the Texas economy and increased business for Texas

 2-3     nursery growers and floral retailers because almost all cut flowers

 2-4     are produced out-of-state; and

 2-5           WHEREAS, Potential market estimates indicate that if 10

 2-6     percent of the cut flowers bought by Texans were produced by Texas

 2-7     growers, a $100 million industry would be created; and

 2-8           WHEREAS, The Texas Agricultural Experiment Station has

 2-9     released for commercial production several varieties in the Big

2-10     Bend Bluebonnet "Texas" series that include the Texas Sapphire, a

2-11     traditional blue flower, as well as Texas Ice, a white bluebonnet;

2-12     and

2-13           WHEREAS, Texas A&M University offers contracts to Texas

2-14     growers who desire to grow these long-stem bluebonnets

2-15     commercially; and

2-16           WHEREAS, No other flower so embodies the natural beauty found

2-17     in Texas and therefore holds a special place in the hearts of all

2-18     Texans; now, therefore, be it

2-19           RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas

2-20     hereby recognizes the Big Bend Bluebonnet "Texas" series varieties

2-21     for their contributions to the state's spirit, beauty, and economic

2-22     growth.

                                                                     Goolsby

                                             _______________________________

                                                   Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.R. No. 852 was adopted by the House on May

         8, 1997, by a non-record vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House