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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Proud residents of Hico celebrated the city's 11th |
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annual Texas Steak Cookoff in 2014, and the continuing success of |
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this popular festival makes the community deserving of designation |
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as the official Steak Capital of Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, Under the leadership of then Mayor Stan Bundy, the |
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city staged its first steak cook-off in May 2004, with 15 |
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participating cookers; the following year, the Hico Economic |
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Development Corporation took over management of the event, and by |
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year three, the festival had grown to include five professional |
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chefs, 16 backyard cooks, a number of vendors, and several |
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wineries, drawing some 2,000 guests; and |
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WHEREAS, By 2008, Hico's cook-off had nearly doubled in size |
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from its start, and the gathering was featured on the Food Network |
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cable channel; since then, the festival has grown steadily, and it |
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now attracts more than 100 cookers, 15 wineries, 70 vendors, and |
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over 6,500 guests each year for a variety of activities that include |
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a wine tasting and VIP dinner, as well as the signature contest to |
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choose the cooker of the "Best Steak in Texas"; and |
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WHEREAS, The proceeds from the Texas Steak Cookoff directly |
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benefit the community, helping the Hico EDC support such notable |
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organizations and initiatives as the Civic Club, the Memorial |
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Scholarship Foundation, and construction of an outdoor stage in the |
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city park; the festival has also attracted corporate sponsors, and |
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the weekend results in a 12 to 14 percent rise in retail sales for |
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local businesses each year; and |
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WHEREAS, In hosting the largest event of its kind in the |
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state, the city of Hico brings together talented professional and |
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amateur chefs in a spirited competition enjoyed by residents and |
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tourists alike while highlighting the ongoing importance of beef to |
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the economy and culture of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be |
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it |
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RESOLVED, That the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby designate Hico as the official Steak Capital of Texas. |