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                                                                  H.R. No. 782



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Texans owe a debt of gratitude to the National 
Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Texas for 
the group's successful efforts to have the bluebonnet named the 
official State Flower of Texas; and
	WHEREAS, Founded in February 1898, under the leadership of 
its first president, Mrs. Samuel M. Welch, the Texas society 
promoted the bluebonnet as the state flower to the legislature in 
1901; many members were unfamiliar with the bluebonnet and some put 
forth other suggestions for this special honor, including John 
Nance Garner, who made a motion for the cactus bloom, and Phil H. 
Clements, who aggressively supported the open cotton boll, which he 
termed "the white rose of commerce"; and
	WHEREAS, Enlisting the help of Representative John M. Green 
of Cuero, who eloquently appealed for the bluebonnet, the Texas 
society spotlighted the wildflower's natural beauty by placing 
bouquets on members' desks; ultimately, they won by acclamation 
after displaying a painting of an arrangement of primroses and 
bluebonnets by Miss Mode Walker; this lovely still life today hangs 
in the Neill-Cochran House in Austin, which serves as the Texas 
society's headquarters; and
	WHEREAS, For more than a century, the National Society of the 
Colonial Dames of America in the State of Texas has enriched the 
quality of life in the Lone Star State through its dedication to 
preserving history and promoting patriotism, and it is a pleasure 
to salute this fine organization at this time; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby honor the National Society of the Colonial Dames 
of America in the State of Texas for its contribution to making the 
bluebonnet the official State Flower of Texas; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the Texas society as an expression of continuing 
thanks by the Texas House of Representatives.

                                                                  Jones of Bexar

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 782 was adopted by the House on April 
16, 2003, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House