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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Proud members of the Texas Farm Bureau are gathering |
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in Austin from January 30 to February 1 for their 2017 Leadership |
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Conference and for Texas Farm Bureau Day at the State Capitol on |
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February 1; and |
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WHEREAS, One of the most powerful engines of the Texas |
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economy, agriculture generates $20 billion in cash receipts each |
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year, representing a total economic impact of more than $100 |
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billion annually; Texas produces more cotton and mohair and exports |
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more cotton, beef, and hides than any other state, and with nearly |
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250,000 farms and ranches covering more than 130 million acres, |
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Texas leads the nation in the number of farms and ranches; over 98 |
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percent of our farms and ranches are owned by families, |
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partnerships, or family-held corporations; and |
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WHEREAS, The Texas Farm Bureau is "the voice of Texas |
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agriculture"; founded in 1933, it is an organization of more than |
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half a million rural families who provide their fellow Texans with |
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abundant and affordable food, fiber, and fuel; the bureau is |
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committed to grassroots advocacy and develops farm-friendly |
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policies that originate with its members, and it speaks on their |
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behalf in the halls of government in Austin and Washington, D.C.; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Over the course of eight decades, the association |
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has played a vital role in the protection of property rights, the |
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development of the farm-to-market road system, the creation of |
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economic incentives to keep farmers on the land, and the promotion |
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of free and fair trade, and it continues to support farmers and |
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ranchers as they work to meet the challenges of a growing population |
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and advances in technology; and |
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WHEREAS, Agriculture is fundamental to the economy and |
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culture of the Lone Star State, and every day, the Texas Farm Bureau |
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works to build upon that historic legacy and help this vital |
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industry adapt and thrive in the 21st century; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize February 1 as Texas Farm Bureau Day at |
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the State Capitol and commemorate the 2017 Texas Farm Bureau |
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Leadership Conference, extending to all those in attendance sincere |
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best wishes for a meaningful and memorable visit to Austin. |