SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 262

	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to 
recognize March 4, 2003, as Cotton Day at the State Capitol to 
honor the significant role cotton has played in the economic 
history of Texas; and

	WHEREAS, Cotton farming began in Texas as early as 1745 and 
was practiced by Spanish missionaries living around present-day 
San Antonio; later, Anglo-American colonists who traveled to 
Texas with Stephen F. Austin would begin cultivating cotton on 
their settlements between the Trinity and Brazos rivers; and

	WHEREAS, In the late 1850s and early 1860s, a sharp rise
in cotton production occurred when new areas for planting were 
opened with the westward push of Texas settlers; and

	WHEREAS, Several developments aided cotton production in 
West Texas, an arid region devoted to ranching; inventions like 
barbed wire, along with the expansion of the railroad and 
improved methods of irrigation, allowed cotton to be grown in
the plains and the prairies of the Panhandle by the early
20th century; and

	WHEREAS, Because of its pervasiveness, cotton earned the 
title of "King" in Texas; today, cotton is still King in Texas,
as our state's annual cotton harvest accounts for approximately 
one-quarter of the nation's total cotton production; and

	WHEREAS, Since 1993, the annual cotton crop in Texas has 
averaged 4.53 million bales; the total value of upland and pima 
lint cotton produced in Texas in 2001 was $859,954,000 and 
cottonseed value in 2001 was $140,547,000; and

	WHEREAS, In this new millennium, uses for cotton are ever 
increasing; in addition to using its fiber for cloth, cottonseeds 
are now used for cooking oils, livestock feed, and cleansing 
products, as well as for various other products made from its 
linters, hulls, and meats; and

	WHEREAS, Texas is a major supplier of cotton, not only for 
the United States, but for the world; major buyers of Texas 
cotton are located in Asia and in Mexico; and

	WHEREAS, The state is especially proud of its tradition of 
cotton growth and production; cotton is a versatile crop which 
affords thousands of Texans their livelihood, and all those 
citizens associated with its production are deserving of 
legislative recognition; now, therefore, be it

	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
78th Legislature, hereby declare March 4, 2003, Cotton Day at


the Capitol and extend a warm welcome to those associated with 
the cotton industry who will visit Austin on this day; and, be it 
further

	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 
the cotton industry as an expression of appreciation from the 
Texas Senate.
                                                                           Estes




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on March 4, 2003.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate