1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 296 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pride in 1-4 recognizing March 2, 1999, as Cotton Day at the State Capitol in 1-5 honor of the significant role cotton has played in our history 1-6 and in the economy of our state; and 1-7 WHEREAS, Cotton was first grown in Texas by the Spanish 1-8 missionaries in San Antonio as early as 1745; cotton cultivation 1-9 was begun by Anglo-American colonists when Stephen F. Austin 1-10 brought families to settle between the Trinity and Brazos rivers; 1-11 and 1-12 WHEREAS, Since 1880, Texas has led all other states in 1-13 cotton production, and cotton has earned its title of "King" in 1-14 Texas; cotton production and the annual cotton harvest in Texas 1-15 are approximately one-quarter of the total production in the 1-16 United States; and 1-17 WHEREAS, In the late 1850s and early 1860s, a sharp rise in 1-18 cotton production occurred when new areas for planting were opened 1-19 as settlers pushed westward; the introduction of barbed wire and 1-20 the building of railroads increased the industry, and cotton growing 1-21 spread to the plains and the prairies of the Panhandle by 1908 when 1-22 irrigation brought water to the area; and 1-23 WHEREAS, Cotton remains the main cash crop of Texas, 1-24 and since 1989, the annual cotton crop in Texas has averaged 4.39 2-1 million bales; the total value of upland and pima lint cotton 2-2 produced in Texas in 1997 was $1,508,408,000, and cottonseed value 2-3 in 1997 was $226,062,000; and 2-4 WHEREAS, Originally grown for its fiber, cotton has become a 2-5 versatile plant whose seeds are used for cooking oils, livestock 2-6 feed, and cleansing products, as well as various other products 2-7 made from its linters, hulls, and meats; and 2-8 WHEREAS, Cotton continues to be a major source of income 2-9 for our state, and Texas remains an important supplier of cotton 2-10 products for the world, with major buyers located in Asian countries 2-11 and our neighboring Mexico; now, therefore, be it 2-12 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-13 76th Legislature, hereby recognize all Texans associated with the 2-14 cotton industry in our state and declare March 2, 1999, as Cotton 2-15 Day at the Capitol; and, be it further 2-16 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in honor 2-17 of the cotton industry as an expression of appreciation from the 2-18 Texas Senate. 2-19 Duncan 2-20 ______________________________________ 2-21 President of the Senate 2-22 I hereby certify that the above 2-23 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-24 on March 2, 1999. 2-25 ______________________________________ 2-26 Secretary of the Senate 2-27 ______________________________________ 2-28 Member, Texas Senate