AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
S.C.R. 31 serves to designate the City of Hico as the official Steak Capital of Texas. Beginning in 2004, the City of Hico has hosted the annual Texas Steak Cook-off. Having grown from originally hosting 15 cookers in 2004 to over 100 cookers, 15 wineries, and 70 vendors in 2014, the Hico Annual Steak Cook-off has become both a culturally and economically significant event. The event is managed by the Hico Economic Development Corporation; proceeds from the event allow the corporation to support various civic organizations in the area such as the Hico Civic Club and the Memorial Scholarship Foundation. S.C.R. 31 honors the City of Hico's continued efforts in recognizing the cultural importance of the beef industry to the State of Texas' economy and would assist the City of Hico in their future economic development efforts.
For more than a decade, the City of Hico has celebrated the annual Texas Steak Cookoff, which has become a culturally and economically significant regional event. The popular festival has grown from hosting 15 cookers in 2004 to over 100 cookers in 2014. The event in 2014 also included 15 wineries, 70 vendors, and more than 6,500 guests. The impressive growth of Hico's Texas Steak Cookoff prompted coverage of the festival by Food Network.
The Hico Economic Development Corporation manages the Texas Steak Cookoff. Proceeds from the event allow the corporation to support organizations such as the Hico Civic Club, which focuses on bettering the quality of life in the Hico community, and the Memorial Scholarship Foundation, which provides scholarships to Hico High School graduates. Local businesses also benefit from the festival weekend through a boost in retail sales.
The designation of the City of Hico as the Steak Capital of Texas would honor the city's efforts in establishing and annually hosting the Texas Steak Cookoff, a unique festival that reflects the importance of the beef industry to this state's economy.
RESOLVED
That the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby designate Hico as the official Steak Capital of Texas.
That in accordance with the provisions of Section 391.003(e), Government Code, this designation remain in effect until the 10th anniversary of its designation.