1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 491 1-3 WHEREAS, The food we eat, the clothes we wear, the houses 1-4 in which we live, and the flowers and plants we enjoy are all 1-5 rooted in agriculture, and the important role that Texas farmers 1-6 and ranchers play in the lives of people worldwide often goes 1-7 unrecognized; and 1-8 WHEREAS, In this new millennium, Texas' farmers, ranchers, 1-9 and their families face ever-increasing challenges, yet they 1-10 continue to fulfill an enduring legacy, ensuring that people 1-11 everywhere have an abundant, reliable, and affordable supply 1-12 of food, natural fiber, and horticultural and other agricultural 1-13 products; and 1-14 WHEREAS, Agriculture is the second-largest industry in 1-15 Texas, generating $14 billion annually for the economy, providing 1-16 one out of every five Texans jobs; and 1-17 WHEREAS, Texas leads other states in the production of 1-18 cotton, cattle, sheep, goats, wool, mohair, and hay, and exports 1-19 approximately $2.5 billion in agricultural products; and 1-20 WHEREAS, Texas farmers and ranchers grow and produce many 1-21 of the products used daily by all Texans, including fruits and 1-22 vegetables; beef, pork, and poultry products; cotton, wool and 1-23 mohair for clothing; trees used in making paper; milk for cheese, 2-1 ice cream, and other dairy products; corn for cereal; breads; 2-2 laundry detergent; and animal fats and proteins for toothpaste 2-3 and crayons; and 2-4 WHEREAS, Agriculture also plays a major role in water 2-5 conservation, rural economic development, global trade, and 2-6 the preservation of the environment; and 2-7 WHEREAS, Agriculture will continue to meet the basic needs 2-8 of the world while providing opportunities for progress beyond 2-9 food and clothing, including advancements in nutrition, medicine, 2-10 biotechnology, and food safety; now, therefore, be it 2-11 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-12 77th Legislature, hereby recognize March 18-24, 2001, as National 2-13 Agriculture Week in Texas and urge all Texans to recognize those 2-14 producers who help add quality to our lives and the State of Texas. 2-15 Haywood 2-16 ______________________________________ 2-17 President of the Senate 2-18 I hereby certify that the above 2-19 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-20 on March 20, 2001. 2-21 ______________________________________ 2-22 Secretary of the Senate 2-23 ______________________________________ 2-24 Member, Texas Senate