HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

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

 1-2     lovers of hot and spicy food is well deserved, and the native

 1-3     chiltepin pepper has contributed greatly to this proud legacy; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, A member of the genus Capsicum, the chiltepin grows

 1-5     wild in our temperate climate and is both undeniably American and

 1-6     typically Texan; its distinctive flavor makes it ideal for hearty

 1-7     stews and red-hot Texas chili, and it is a staple in many Tex-Mex

 1-8     favorites; and

 1-9           WHEREAS, Even the mockingbird, our state bird, recognizes the

1-10     appeal of this piquant pod, choosing to dine on it almost

1-11     exclusively when the pepper is in season; wild turkeys, too, are

1-12     often seen feeding on these tasty little morsels, and these and

1-13     other fruit-eating wild birds play a vital role in the chiltepin's

1-14     proliferation; and

1-15           WHEREAS, Found in abundance from the southern United States

1-16     to northern South America, the chiltepin has been used for many

1-17     years by the various peoples who have populated our great state;

1-18     known variously as chile mosquito and chile bravo, the Spanish

1-19     described this zesty fruit as "arrebatado," meaning that although

1-20     its spiciness is immediate and intense, this bold sensation does

1-21     not linger long; and

1-22           WHEREAS, The chiltepin is used in both fresh and dried forms,

1-23     combined with vinegar to make a tangy sauce or sprinkled into soup

1-24     to provide just the right seasoning; perhaps the most amazing

 2-1     attribute of this indigenous spice is that it has been shown to

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

 2-3     promising means of controlling weight gain; and

 2-4           WHEREAS, The chiltepin's storied history even includes a

 2-5     footnote to one of our greatest American presidents, Thomas

 2-6     Jefferson; an avid gardener, President Jefferson acquired some of

 2-7     these exotic tiny peppers from a fellow horticulturist and

 2-8     displayed a keen interest in establishing a market for this Texas

 2-9     pepper; and

2-10           WHEREAS, It is important to acknowledge and promote our

2-11     endemic natural resources, for they are an integral part of our

2-12     heritage and help to make us recognizable to other cultures around

2-13     the globe; the chiltepin is Texas' only native pepper, and its long

2-14     history and wide variety of uses make it truly deserving of special

2-15     recognition and endorsement; now, therefore, be it

2-16           RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas

2-17     hereby declare the chiltepin the official State Native Pepper of

2-18     Texas.

                                                                      Carter

         _______________________________     _______________________________

             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.C.R. No. 82 was adopted by the House on May

         10, 1997, by a non-record vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House

               I certify that H.C.R. No. 82 was adopted by the Senate on May

         26, 1997, by a viva-voce vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Secretary of the Senate

         APPROVED:  _____________________

                            Date

                    _____________________

                          Governor