By Brown of Kaufman                                   H.C.R. No. 31
         76R4107 BE-D                           
                             HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 1-1           WHEREAS, Since long before even the Osage Indians knew its
 1-2     value, the bois d'arc tree has thrived in northeast Texas, and the
 1-3     city of Commerce sits at the very heart of the geographic region to
 1-4     which this famed and multipurpose tree is native; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, The earliest residents of Texas used the bois d'arc
 1-6     for dyes, fuel, and their bows and arrows that so amazed the first
 1-7     French explorers;  fence posts, wagon wheels, tools, and bois d'arc
 1-8     bricks would follow, as later settlers learned the true worth of
 1-9     the Osage orange; and
1-10           WHEREAS, It is an extremely hard wood, very durable, and it
1-11     possesses a natural fungicide; there was a time when many banks in
1-12     Texas would not finance a home unless it was built on sure-to-last
1-13     bois d'arc blocks; and
1-14           WHEREAS, During the lean and grim days of the Dust Bowl,
1-15     countless Texas bois d'arc seedlings were shipped across the Great
1-16     Plains to create thousands of miles of living fence, slowing
1-17     erosion and providing  much-needed shade for beleaguered farmers
1-18     and their families; and
1-19           WHEREAS, In tribute to this useful and hardy native, the city
1-20     of Commerce has hosted its Annual Bois d'Arc Bash every September
1-21     for more than a decade; with a variety of cultural, historical,
1-22     educational, and recreational activities, the popular event is
1-23     indeed a memorable one and famed across the state; and
1-24           WHEREAS, The city's appreciation for the tree has earned it
 2-1     considerable notice, for Texas Monthly, Texas Highways, and
 2-2     Southern Living magazines have all featured stories of the Commerce
 2-3     bois d'arc  celebration, and Tumbleweed Smith has highlighted the
 2-4     event on his popular radio program, "The Sound of Texas"; and
 2-5           WHEREAS, Perhaps the centerpiece of all this bois d'arc ardor
 2-6     is "Max," a 300-year-old giant of a bois d'arc that is listed as a
 2-7     Famous and Historic Tree by American Forests; and
 2-8           WHEREAS, The fine citizens of Commerce are justifiably proud
 2-9     of the important role the bois d'arc tree has played in their long
2-10     and colorful history, and in turn their enthusiasm has made all of
2-11     Texas more aware of that role; their determined and successful
2-12     efforts have rightfully earned their city distinction as the
2-13     Official Bois d'Arc Capital of Texas; now, therefore, be it
2-14           RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas
2-15     hereby declare Commerce in Hunt County as the Official Bois d'Arc
2-16     Capital of Texas; and, be it further
2-17           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-18     prepared for prominent display in Commerce, the Official Bois d'Arc
2-19     Capital of Texas.