1-1                                       1

 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 438

 1-3           WHEREAS, The Lone Star State's reputation as a haven for

 1-4     lovers of hot and spicy food is well deserved, and the native

 1-5     chiltepin pepper has contributed greatly to this proud legacy; and

 1-6           WHEREAS, A member of the genus Capsicum, the chiltepin grows

 1-7     wild in our temperate climate and is both undeniably American and

 1-8     typically Texan; its distinctive flavor makes it ideal for hearty

 1-9     stews and red-hot Texas chili, and it is a staple in many Tex-Mex

1-10     favorites; and

1-11           WHEREAS, Even the mockingbird, our state bird, recognizes

1-12     the appeal of this piquant pod, choosing to dine on it almost

1-13     exclusively when the pepper is in season; wild turkeys, too, are

1-14     often seen feeding on these tasty little morsels, and these and

1-15     other fruit-eating wild birds play a vital role in the chiltepin's

1-16     proliferation; and

1-17           WHEREAS, Found in abundance from the southern United States

1-18     to northern South America, the chiltepin has been used for many

1-19     years by the various peoples who have populated our great state;

1-20     known variously as "chile mosquito" and "chile bravo," the Spanish

1-21     described this zesty fruit as "arrebatado," meaning that although

1-22     its spiciness is immediate and intense, this bold sensation does

1-23     not linger long; and

 2-1           WHEREAS, The chiltepin is used in both fresh and dried forms,

 2-2     combined with vinegar to make a tangy sauce or sprinkled into soup

 2-3     to provide just the right seasoning; perhaps the most amazing

 2-4     attribute of this indigenous spice is that it has been shown to

 2-5     increase the human metabolism by as much as 25 percent, making it

 2-6     a promising means of controlling weight gain; and

 2-7           WHEREAS, The chiltepin's storied history even includes

 2-8     a footnote to one of our greatest American presidents,

 2-9     Thomas Jefferson; an avid gardener, President Jefferson acquired

2-10     some of these exotic tiny peppers from a fellow horticulturist

2-11     and displayed a keen interest in establishing a market for this

2-12     Texas pepper; and

2-13           WHEREAS, It is important to acknowledge and promote our

2-14     endemic natural resources, for they are an integral part of our

2-15     heritage and help to make us recognizable to other cultures around

2-16     the globe; the chiltepin is Texas' only native pepper, and its

2-17     long history and wide variety of uses make it truly deserving of

2-18     special recognition and endorsement; now, therefore, be it

2-19           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,

2-20     75th Legislature, hereby recognize the chiltepin as the State

2-21     Native Pepper of Texas.

2-22                                                                Moncrief

2-23                                  ______________________________________

2-24                                          President of the Senate

2-25                                       I hereby certify that the above

2-26                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate

2-27                                  on April 3, 1997.

2-28                                  ______________________________________

 3-1                                          Secretary of the Senate

 3-2                                  ______________________________________

 3-3                                           Member, Texas Senate