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 6, 2001, as Cotton Day at the State Capitol in
 1-3     honor of the significant role cotton has played in the history and
 1-4     economy of our state; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, Cotton was grown in Texas by the Spanish
 1-6     missionaries in San Antonio as early as 1745 and was grown by
 1-7     Anglo-American colonists when Stephen F. Austin brought families to
 1-8     settle between the Trinity and Brazos rivers; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, Since 1880, Texas has led all other states in cotton
1-10     production; with the Lone Star State producing approximately
1-11     one-fourth of the total production in the United States, cotton has
1-12     indeed earned its title of "King" in Texas; and
1-13           WHEREAS, In the late 1850s and early 1860s, a sharp rise in
1-14     cotton production occurred as settlers pushed westward; the
1-15     introduction of barbed wire and the building of railroads increased
1-16     the industry, and by 1908, cotton was grown in the plains and
1-17     prairies of the Panhandle when irrigation brought water to the
1-18     area; and
1-19           WHEREAS, Cotton remains the main cash crop of Texas, and
1-20     since 1991, the state has averaged 4.40 million bales per year; the
1-21     total value of upland and pima lint cotton produced in Texas in
1-22     1999 was $1,022,238,000, and cottonseed value that same year was
1-23     $158,960,000; and
1-24           WHEREAS, Originally grown for its fiber, cotton has become a
 2-1     versatile plant; its seeds are used for cooking oils, livestock
 2-2     feed, and cleansing products, and various other products are made
 2-3     from its linters, hulls, and meats; and
 2-4           WHEREAS, Texas remains an important supplier of cotton
 2-5     products for the world, with major buyers located in Asian
 2-6     countries and our neighboring Mexico; now, therefore, be it
 2-7           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
 2-8     Legislature hereby recognize March 6, 2001, as Cotton Day at the
 2-9     State Capitol and honor all those associated with the cotton
2-10     industry in our state.
                                                                      Hawley
                                             _______________________________
                                                   Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.R. No. 361 was adopted by the House on March
         6, 2001, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House