1-1 By: Brown (Senate Sponsor - Cain) H.C.R. No. 31 1-2 (In the Senate - Received from the House February 9, 1999; 1-3 February 10, 1999, read first time and referred to Committee on 1-4 Administration; April 30, 1999, reported favorably by the following 1-5 vote: Yeas 4, Nays 0; April 30, 1999, sent to printer.) 1-6 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-7 WHEREAS, Since long before even the Osage Indians knew its 1-8 value, the bois d'arc tree has thrived in northeast Texas, and the 1-9 city of Commerce sits at the very heart of the geographic region to 1-10 which this famed and multipurpose tree is native; and 1-11 WHEREAS, The earliest residents of Texas used the bois d'arc 1-12 for dyes, fuel, and their bows and arrows that so amazed the first 1-13 French explorers; fence posts, wagon wheels, tools, and bois d'arc 1-14 bricks would follow, as later settlers learned the true worth of 1-15 the Osage orange; and 1-16 WHEREAS, It is an extremely hard wood, very durable, and it 1-17 possesses a natural fungicide; there was a time when many banks in 1-18 Texas would not finance a home unless it was built on sure-to-last 1-19 bois d'arc blocks; and 1-20 WHEREAS, During the lean and grim days of the Dust Bowl, 1-21 countless Texas bois d'arc seedlings were shipped across the Great 1-22 Plains to create thousands of miles of living fence, slowing 1-23 erosion and providing much-needed shade for beleaguered farmers 1-24 and their families; and 1-25 WHEREAS, In tribute to this useful and hardy native, the city 1-26 of Commerce has hosted its Annual Bois d'Arc Bash every September 1-27 for more than a decade; with a variety of cultural, historical, 1-28 educational, and recreational activities, the popular event is 1-29 indeed a memorable one and famed across the state; and 1-30 WHEREAS, The city's appreciation for the tree has earned it 1-31 considerable notice, for Texas Monthly, Texas Highways, and 1-32 Southern Living magazines have all featured stories of the Commerce 1-33 bois d'arc celebration, and Tumbleweed Smith has highlighted the 1-34 event on his popular radio program, "The Sound of Texas"; and 1-35 WHEREAS, Perhaps the centerpiece of all this bois d'arc ardor 1-36 is "Max," a 300-year-old giant of a bois d'arc that is listed as a 1-37 Famous and Historic Tree by American Forests; and 1-38 WHEREAS, The fine citizens of Commerce are justifiably proud 1-39 of the important role the bois d'arc tree has played in their long 1-40 and colorful history, and in turn their enthusiasm has made all of 1-41 Texas more aware of that role; their determined and successful 1-42 efforts have rightfully earned their city distinction as the 1-43 Official Bois d'Arc Capital of Texas; now, therefore, be it 1-44 RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas 1-45 hereby declare Commerce in Hunt County as the Official Bois d'Arc 1-46 Capital of Texas; and, be it further 1-47 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 1-48 prepared for prominent display in Commerce, the Official Bois d'Arc 1-49 Capital of Texas. 1-50 * * * * *