1-1                                     1                                  
 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 216
 1-3           WHEREAS, Texas rice farmers play a vital role in the
 1-4     agricultural production of the state and of the country, and
 1-5     their outstanding success in growing this crop is indeed worthy
 1-6     of special recognition; and
 1-7           WHEREAS, Rice is the staple grain for two-thirds of the
 1-8     world's people, and its dietary importance for the expanding
 1-9     populations of many Third World countries cannot be overemphasized;
1-10     and
1-11           WHEREAS, Intense research and development in rice technology
1-12     has resulted in making rice one of the most land-efficient and
1-13     cost-efficient crops grown and has given American rice farmers
1-14     some of the highest yields per acre in the world; and
1-15           WHEREAS, The United States is one of the largest exporters
1-16     of this crop, sending shipments to more than 100 countries and
1-17     supplying about 15 percent of the rice produced for world trade;
1-18     and
1-19           WHEREAS, Texas is a key producer in this country's rice
1-20     industry, growing over 1.6 billion pounds of the more than 20
1-21     billion pounds harvested in the United States annually; and
1-22           WHEREAS, A $2 billion a year cash crop, rice ranks as the
1-23     fifth most valuable food crop in the nation, and its cultivation
 2-1     supports a significant number of farmers and millers in Texas
 2-2     and in other states; and
 2-3           WHEREAS, In addition to their contribution to the state and
 2-4     national economy, Texas rice farms represent a key element in the
 2-5     enhancement of habitat for waterfowl such as ducks, geese, swans,
 2-6     and cranes; and
 2-7           WHEREAS, Rice is prized for its nutritional value and
 2-8     its economical cost, and it is one of this country's leading
 2-9     agricultural products; the Texans who grow rice are to be commended
2-10     for work that makes such a positive impact, both at home and
2-11     abroad; now, therefore, be it
2-12           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
2-13     77th Legislature, hereby recognize February 13, 2001, as Texas
2-14     Rice Day at the State Capitol and extend sincere best wishes
2-15     to all Texans involved in the production of this important crop.
2-16                                                  Bernsen, Armbrister,  
2-17                                                     Brown, Jackson     
2-18     ______________________________     _______________________________
2-19          Member, Texas Senate               Member, Texas Senate
2-20     ______________________________     _______________________________
2-21          Member, Texas Senate               Member, Texas Senate
2-22                                        _______________________________
2-23                                            President of the Senate
2-24                                             I hereby certify that the
2-25                                        above Resolution was adopted by
2-26                                        the Senate on February 13, 2001.
2-27                                        _______________________________
2-28                                            Secretary of the Senate