By Junell                                              H.R. No. 324
         76R6984 JBR-F                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives takes pride in
 1-2     recognizing March 2, 1999, as Cotton Day at the Capitol in honor of
 1-3     the significant role cotton has played in our history and in the
 1-4     economy of our state; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, Cotton was first grown in Texas by the Spanish
 1-6     missionaries in San Antonio as early as 1745; cotton cultivation
 1-7     was begun by Anglo-American colonists when Stephen F. Austin
 1-8     brought families to settle between the Trinity and Brazos rivers;
 1-9     and
1-10           WHEREAS, Since 1880, Texas has led all other states in cotton
1-11     production, and cotton has earned its title of "King" in Texas;
1-12     cotton production and the annual cotton harvest in Texas is
1-13     approximately one-quarter of the total production in the United
1-14     States; and
1-15           WHEREAS, In the late 1850s and early 1860s, a sharp rise in
1-16     cotton production occurred when new areas for planting were opened
1-17     as settlers pushed westward; the introduction of barbed wire and
1-18     the building of railroads increased the industry, and cotton
1-19     growing spread to the plains and the prairies of the Panhandle by
1-20     1908 when irrigation brought water to that area; and
1-21           WHEREAS, Cotton remains the main cash crop of Texas, and
1-22     since 1989, the annual cotton crop in Texas has averaged 4.39
1-23     million bales; the total value of upland and pima lint cotton
1-24     produced in Texas in 1997 was $1,508,408,000, and cottonseed value
 2-1     in 1997 was $226,062,000; and
 2-2           WHEREAS, Originally grown for its fiber, cotton has become a
 2-3     versatile plant whose seeds are used for cooking oils, livestock
 2-4     feed, and cleansing products, as well as various other products
 2-5     made from its linters, hulls, and meats; and
 2-6           WHEREAS, Texas remains an important supplier of cotton
 2-7     products for the world, with major buyers located in Asian
 2-8     countries and our neighboring Mexico; now, therefore, be it
 2-9           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-10     Legislature hereby recognize all Texans associated with the cotton
2-11     industry and recognize March 2, 1999, as Cotton Day at the Capitol;
2-12     and, be it further
2-13           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-14     prepared in honor of the cotton industry as an expression of
2-15     appreciation by the Texas House of Representatives.