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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, For decades, the residents of Rusk County have |
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embraced the production of ribbon cane syrup as an indelible part of |
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the community's culture and heritage; and |
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WHEREAS, Boasting a long growing season, fertile land, and |
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ample rain, Rusk County provided early settlers with an ideal |
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location for farming; one of the area's most popular cash crops was |
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sugarcane, the primary ingredient in ribbon cane syrup, which is |
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named for the distinct bands of color that run along the stalks of |
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some varieties of the plant; just one acre of sugarcane farmland |
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could produce enough of the crop to make 500 to 600 gallons of |
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syrup; and |
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WHEREAS, The process of making ribbon cane syrup required the |
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participation of numerous residents of the community; one person |
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would hook mules to a sweep that operated the sugarcane crusher, and |
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older children would feed sugarcane into rollers; a member of the |
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team would maintain the fire to heat the extracted cane juice while |
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another would skim the top of the syrup and move it through baffles |
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with paddles to prevent burning; each task was overseen by a |
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designated syrup master; and |
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WHEREAS, The traditional syrup-making process is |
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demonstrated at Rusk County's annual Heritage Syrup Festival, which |
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was first held in 1988; taking place on the grounds of the Depot |
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Museum in Henderson, the popular event attracts some 31,000 |
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visitors to the county each year; attendees have the opportunity to |
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observe the full production method, with the beloved mules who |
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power the crusher playing a featured role; the museum also offers a |
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training course to help ensure that the folk art of syrup making is |
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passed along to future generations; and |
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WHEREAS, Rusk County's strong historical association with |
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ribbon cane syrup has long been a source of great pride for area |
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residents, and it is indeed deserving of special recognition; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby designate Rusk County as the official Syrup Capital of |
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Texas; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of Section |
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391.003(e), Government Code, this designation remain in effect |
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until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is finally |
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passed by the legislature. |