81R6622 JGH-D
By: Gonzales H.R. No. 488
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Texas is known for the richness and variety of its
agricultural bounty, and the 72nd Texas Citrus Fiesta in Mission,
which took place during the last week of January 2009, celebrated
the importance of the fruit industry to the culture and economy of
the Rio Grande Valley; and
WHEREAS, The first Citrus Fiesta in 1932 highlighted the
Valley's bountiful winter harvest of grapefruit and oranges and
began the colorful tradition of crowning a King Citrus and Queen
Citrianna and their royal court; every city in the region further
appoints a duchess to represent its community at the coronation;
and
WHEREAS, Held annually since World War II, the fiesta is
enjoyed by thousands of attendees from the United States and
Mexico; they gather to participate in a range of special events,
including a fashion exhibition of costumes made from citrus
products and the spectacular Parade of Oranges showcasing floats
decorated with fruit and other agricultural products from the area;
and
WHEREAS, This year's Citrus Fiesta was presided over by King
Citrus Tom Aderhold, who throughout his life has been a leader in
the Valley's citrus industry; sharing the throne was Queen
Citrianna Lauren Yvanna Guerra, who was supported by the members of
the royal court: Maria Apolonia Calderon, the Princess of
Grapefruit Blossom, Katheryn Hinojosa, the Princess of Orange
Blossom, and Sophia Anyssa Flores, the Lady in Waiting; and
WHEREAS, The members of the Tangerine Court were Ryann Avery
Ramirez, the 59th Princess Anna, Madison Nicole Gerlach, the
Princess of Lemon Blossom, Kayla Nicole Cantu, the Princess of Lime
Blossom, Myrhissa Calen Ortega, the Princess of Tangerine Blossom,
and Jenna Renee Hard, the Princess of Grapefruit Blossom; also
presented at the court's coronation were 18 duchesses from the
region; and
WHEREAS, For more than 70 years, the combination of
agricultural abundance and the vibrant community spirit in the Rio
Grande Valley has helped make the Texas Citrus Fiesta one of the
landmark cultural events in the Lone Star State, and this
outstanding Texas tradition is truly deserving of special
recognition; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the 72nd Texas Citrus Fiesta and
extend to the royal court and duchesses best wishes for a successful
and exciting reign.