By Swinford                                            H.R. No. 173
         77R5486 GMW-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives takes great pride
 1-2     in recognizing February 7, 2001, as Food Checkout Day in Texas; and
 1-3           WHEREAS, Farmers and ranchers throughout Texas produce food
 1-4     that is not only of the highest quality but also abundant and
 1-5     affordable; in addition to providing our state with essential
 1-6     goods, they take every precaution to ensure that Texas' cropland
 1-7     and pastureland will remain rich and fertile for generations to
 1-8     come; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, With food being both bountiful and affordable thanks
1-10     to these noteworthy individuals, the average American citizen will
1-11     need to work only 38 days in 2001 to earn enough income to purchase
1-12     food for the entire year; moreover, today the Lone Star State
1-13     boasts an exemplary food distribution system that safely and
1-14     efficiently distributes these affordable goods to its citizens; and
1-15           WHEREAS, Texas' farmers and ranchers also greatly assist the
1-16     less fortunate by collecting and distributing food to worthwhile
1-17     charities such as the Ronald McDonald House, where their altruistic
1-18     efforts have been invaluable to housing and feeding the families of
1-19     critically ill and hospitalized children; and
1-20           WHEREAS, By February 7, 2001, the average Texan will have
1-21     earned enough money to obtain a year's worth of food; this would
1-22     not be possible without the continued devotion of Texas' numerous
1-23     farmers and ranchers to providing their state with an ample supply
1-24     of affordable and quality food; now, therefore, be it
 2-1           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
 2-2     Legislature hereby recognize February 7, 2001, as Food Checkout Day
 2-3     in Texas and commend the many dedicated farmers and ranchers for
 2-4     their outstanding work.