By Goolsby H.R. No. 852 Line and page numbers may not match official copy. Bill not drafted by TLC or Senate E&E. 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; 2-1 blue flowers are prized for floral arrangements because this color 2-2 in nature is a rarity; and also because strong fragrances are 2-3 rarely found in the majority of commercially bred cut flowers; and 2-4 WHEREAS, The commercial long-stem bluebonnet offers a great 2-5 potential for the Texas economy and increased business for Texas 2-6 nursery growers and floral retailers because almost all cut flowers 2-7 are produced out-of-state; and 2-8 WHEREAS, Potential market estimates indicate that if 10 2-9 percent of the cut flowers bought by Texans were produced by Texas 2-10 growers, a $100 million industry would be created; and 2-11 WHEREAS, The Texas Agricultural Experiment Station has 2-12 released for commercial production several varieties in the Big 2-13 Bend Bluebonnet "Texas" series that include the Texas Sapphire, a 2-14 traditional blue flower, as well as Texas Ice, a white bluebonnet; 2-15 and 2-16 WHEREAS, Texas A&M University offers contracts to Texas 2-17 growers who desire to commercially grow these long-stem 2-18 bluebonnets; and 2-19 WHEREAS, No other flower so embodies the natural beauty found 2-20 in Texas and therefore holds a special place in the heart of all 2-21 Texans; now, therefore, be it 2-22 RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-23 hereby recognizes the Big Bend Bluebonnet "Texas" series varieties 2-24 for their contributions to the state's spirit, beauty, and economic 2-25 growth.