1-1 By: Flores (Senate Sponsor - Lucio) H.C.R. No. 66 1-2 (In the Senate - Received from the House April 19, 1999; 1-3 April 20, 1999, read first time and referred to Committee on 1-4 Administration; May 14, 1999, reported favorably by the following 1-5 vote: Yeas 3, Nays 0; May 14, 1999, sent to printer.) 1-6 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-7 WHEREAS, The Red Grapefruit is one of the Lone Star State's 1-8 best-known symbols, and its importance to the state's economy and 1-9 culture is reflected in its designation as the Official State Fruit 1-10 of Texas; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Nestled deep in the state's famous citrus-growing 1-12 region, the city of Mission has long been associated with the 1-13 production of world-class citrus fruit and grapefruit in 1-14 particular, and the city's close identification with these crops is 1-15 aptly expressed by the popular annual event known as the Citrus 1-16 Fiesta; and 1-17 WHEREAS, In 1914, the state's first commercial citrus trees 1-18 were planted in the Mission area, and since that time this industry 1-19 has become a crucial component of the Texan presence in the world 1-20 marketplace; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Mission's preeminence as a citrus capital has been 1-22 widely acknowledged for many years, and in 1950 Governor Allan 1-23 Shivers referred to the city as the "Home of the Grapefruit" in an 1-24 official proclamation; and 1-25 WHEREAS, Even as skilled agriculturalists have taken 1-26 advantage of the region's rich soil and ideal climate to perfect 1-27 the Red Grapefruit's distinctive flavor and enticing appearance, so 1-28 has this delicious fruit achieved its current stature as both a 1-29 mainstay of the Mission economy and a fitting symbol of the city; 1-30 now, therefore, be it 1-31 RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas 1-32 hereby officially designate Mission the Home of the Grapefruit; 1-33 and, be it further 1-34 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 1-35 prepared for display in the city of Mission as an expression of 1-36 high regard by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate. 1-37 * * * * *