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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The cattle industry has long been a cornerstone of |
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Texas' agricultural economy, contributing billions of dollars |
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annually, providing thousands of jobs, and sustaining the state's |
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vibrant ranching culture; and |
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WHEREAS, Steak products, particularly prime cuts like the |
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tomahawk rib-eye steak, stand as one of the most prominent foods |
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associated with Texas, a status that reflects the importance of |
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beef production to the state's history and development; and |
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WHEREAS, During the late 19th century, rapidly growing urban |
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centers in the northern and western United States significantly |
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increased the demand for beef, spurring the era of cattle drives; |
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Texas ranchers, seeking profitable markets, organized |
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long-distance drives to transport cattle to railheads and |
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facilitate the shipment of beef to meet the nation's needs; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, Texas is the leading producer of beef in the |
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United States with over 12.2 million head of cattle, more than |
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double the number in the second-ranking state; the beef industry is |
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vital to the state's economy, with cattle production accounting for |
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a significant portion of agricultural output and bringing in |
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millions of dollars in agricultural export revenue each year; and |
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WHEREAS, Texas is the birthplace of many iconic culinary |
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traditions, including those tied to cattle drives, chuck wagons, |
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and steak houses, all of which have cemented steak as an integral |
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part of the state's culture and cuisine; the food service industry |
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is the largest private employer in the state, providing over 1.46 |
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million jobs, including many in steak houses and dining |
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establishments where high-quality beef remains a central part of |
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the menu; and |
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WHEREAS, The tomahawk rib-eye steak is a cut of rib-eye steak |
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that has an unusually long rib bone attached and is thought to |
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resemble a tomahawk in shape; and |
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WHEREAS, Many of the tomahawk rib-eye steaks enjoyed by |
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diners, both historically and in the present day, came from cattle |
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that were raised on the sprawling ranches of Texas and should, |
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therefore, be recognized as products of the Lone Star State; and |
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WHEREAS, Designating the tomahawk rib-eye steak as the |
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official State Steak of Texas would be a fitting tribute to the |
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legacy of Texas as the nation's beef leader, and it would reflect |
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the importance of steak to the state's identity; now, therefore, be |
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it |
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RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby designate the tomahawk rib-eye steak as the official State |
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Steak of Texas; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the tomahawk rib-eye steak be recognized as a |
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symbol of Texas' enduring agricultural heritage, the state's |
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economic vitality, and the contributions of the ranchers, farmers, |
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and chefs who have shaped the state's iconic food culture; and, be |
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it further |
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RESOLVED, That the Texas Legislature recognize the central |
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role of the beef industry in driving economic growth, employment, |
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and cultural pride in Texas; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the Texas Legislature direct the Texas |
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Department of Agriculture to promote the tomahawk rib-eye steak as |
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part of the state's ongoing efforts to support Texas beef and |
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agricultural products; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward an |
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official copy of this resolution to the commissioner of the Texas |
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Department of Agriculture. |