81R6622 JGH-D
 
  By: Gonzales H.R. No. 488
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, Texas is known for the richness and variety of its
  agricultural bounty, and the 72nd Texas Citrus Fiesta in Mission,
  which took place during the last week of January 2009, celebrated
  the importance of the fruit industry to the culture and economy of
  the Rio Grande Valley; and
         WHEREAS, The first Citrus Fiesta in 1932 highlighted the
  Valley's bountiful winter harvest of grapefruit and oranges and
  began the colorful tradition of crowning a King Citrus and Queen
  Citrianna and their royal court; every city in the region further
  appoints a duchess to represent its community at the coronation;
  and
         WHEREAS, Held annually since World War II, the fiesta is
  enjoyed by thousands of attendees from the United States and
  Mexico; they gather to participate in a range of special events,
  including a fashion exhibition of costumes made from citrus
  products and the spectacular Parade of Oranges showcasing floats
  decorated with fruit and other agricultural products from the area;
  and
         WHEREAS, This year's Citrus Fiesta was presided over by King
  Citrus Tom Aderhold, who throughout his life has been a leader in
  the Valley's citrus industry; sharing the throne was Queen
  Citrianna Lauren Yvanna Guerra, who was supported by the members of
  the royal court: Maria Apolonia Calderon, the Princess of
  Grapefruit Blossom, Katheryn Hinojosa, the Princess of Orange
  Blossom, and Sophia Anyssa Flores, the Lady in Waiting; and
         WHEREAS, The members of the Tangerine Court were Ryann Avery
  Ramirez, the 59th Princess Anna, Madison Nicole Gerlach, the
  Princess of Lemon Blossom, Kayla Nicole Cantu, the Princess of Lime
  Blossom, Myrhissa Calen Ortega, the Princess of Tangerine Blossom,
  and Jenna Renee Hard, the Princess of Grapefruit Blossom; also
  presented at the court's coronation were 18 duchesses from the
  region; and
         WHEREAS, For more than 70 years, the combination of
  agricultural abundance and the vibrant community spirit in the Rio
  Grande Valley has helped make the Texas Citrus Fiesta one of the
  landmark cultural events in the Lone Star State, and this
  outstanding Texas tradition is truly deserving of special
  recognition; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
  Legislature hereby pay tribute to the 72nd Texas Citrus Fiesta and
  extend to the royal court and duchesses best wishes for a successful
  and exciting reign.