By:  Haywood                                           S.R. No. 320

 1-1     By:  Haywood                                           S.R. No. 320

 1-2                              SENATE RESOLUTION

 1-3           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pride in

 1-4     recognizing March 18, 1997, as Cotton Day at the State Capitol

 1-5     in honor of the significant role cotton has played in our history

 1-6     and in the economy of our state; and

 1-7           WHEREAS, Cotton was first grown in Texas by the Spanish

 1-8     missionaries in San Antonio as early as 1745; cotton cultivation

 1-9     was begun by Anglo-American colonists when Stephen F. Austin

1-10     brought families to settle between the Trinity and Brazos rivers;

1-11     and

1-12           WHEREAS, Since 1880, Texas has led all other states in

1-13     cotton production, and cotton has earned its title of "King" in

1-14     Texas; cotton production and the annual cotton harvest in Texas

1-15     is approximately one-quarter of the total production in the

1-16     United States; and

1-17           WHEREAS, In the late 1850s and early 1860s, a sharp rise in

1-18     cotton production occurred when new areas for planting were opened

1-19     as the Indian tribes were pushed westward; the introduction of

1-20     barbed wire and the building of railroads increased the industry,

1-21     and cotton growing spread to the plains and the prairies of the

1-22     Panhandle by 1908 when irrigation brought water to the area; and

1-23           WHEREAS, Cotton in 1950 remained the main cash crop of Texas,

 2-1     and since 1987, the annual cotton crop in Texas has averaged 4.51

 2-2     million bales; the total value of upland and pima lint cotton

 2-3     produced in Texas in 1996 was $1,421,366,000, and cottonseed

 2-4     value in 1996 was $238,290,000; and

 2-5           WHEREAS, Originally grown for its fiber, cotton has become a

 2-6     versatile plant whose seeds are used for cooking oils, livestock

 2-7     feed, and cleansing products, as well as various other products

 2-8     made from its linters, hulls, and meats; and

 2-9           WHEREAS, Cotton continues to be a major source of income for

2-10     our state, and Texas remains an important supplier of cotton

2-11     products for the world, with major buyers located in Japan and

2-12     South Korea; now, therefore, be it

2-13           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,

2-14     75th Legislature, hereby recognize all Texans associated with

2-15     the cotton industry in our state and declare March 18, 1997, as

2-16     Cotton Day at the Capitol; and, be it further

2-17           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in honor

2-18     of the cotton industry as an expression of appreciation from the

2-19     Texas Senate.

2-20                                  ______________________________________

2-21                                          President of the Senate

2-22                                       I hereby certify that the above

2-23                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate

2-24                                  on March 18, 1997.

2-25                                  ______________________________________

2-26                                          Secretary of the Senate

2-27                                  ______________________________________

2-28                                            Member, Texas Senate