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.