By Brimer H.R. No. 221 76R3728 WMS-F R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 1-2 Legislature takes pride in honoring the members of the Texas 1-3 Recreational Vehicle Association by recognizing February 17, 1999, 1-4 as Texas Recreational Vehicle Day; and 1-5 WHEREAS, The recreational vehicle (RV) provides a unique 1-6 means to see the country, visit new places, meet interesting 1-7 people, and experience the freedom of the open road; and 1-8 WHEREAS, U.S. ownership of RVs is at the highest level ever 1-9 recorded, with 9.3 million RVs - motor homes, travel trailers, 1-10 fifth wheel trailers, truck campers, folding camping trailers, and 1-11 van conversions - on the road, and with a unit in almost 10 percent 1-12 of all U.S. vehicle-owning households; and 1-13 WHEREAS, RV owners with families now outnumber the 1-14 traditional core market of over age 55 "empty nesters," with more 1-15 than 45 percent of current owners between the ages of 35 and 54, 1-16 compared to 40 percent age 55 and older; and 1-17 WHEREAS, The strong and enduring appeal of the RV lifestyle 1-18 promotes family values; and 1-19 WHEREAS, Thousands of Texas families who call themselves 1-20 RVers spend weekends or weeks on end discovering Texas' and 1-21 neighboring states' best camping and vacation spots; and 1-22 WHEREAS, The purpose of the Texas Recreational Vehicle 1-23 Association is to establish, expand, and maintain recreational 1-24 vehicles as the primary and preferred method of recreational travel 2-1 in the southwestern United States; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Members of the Texas Recreational Vehicle 2-3 Association include dealers, campground owners, manufacturers, 2-4 suppliers, and service companies of the recreational vehicle 2-5 industry doing business in the southwestern United States; and 2-6 WHEREAS, Texas Recreational Vehicle Day provides an 2-7 opportunity for citizens across our state to be educated regarding 2-8 the significant role that the RV industry plays in our state and to 2-9 express appreciation to those who work in that field for their hard 2-10 work and many accomplishments; now, therefore, be it 2-11 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-12 Legislature hereby recognize February 17, 1999, as Texas 2-13 Recreational Vehicle Day at the State Capitol and commend the Texas 2-14 Recreational Vehicle Association for its support of family values 2-15 via its promotion of recreational vehicles as a beneficial and 2-16 enjoyable lifestyle experienced by thousands of Texas families; 2-17 and, be it further 2-18 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared for the 2-19 Texas Recreational Vehicle Association as an expression of the 2-20 sentiment of the Texas House of Representatives.