85S12622 JGH-D
By: Longoria H.R. No. 371
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The pecan enjoys an iconic status among Texans,
beloved for its delicious taste as well as its importance to the
state's economy; and
WHEREAS, Dating to prehistoric times, the pecan tree grows
naturally in most of the state's river valleys; native to 152 of the
254 counties, it is grown commercially in an even wider area, and
many Texas residents delight in harvesting the pecans in their
yards; and
WHEREAS, One of the healthiest nuts, the pecan is
cholesterol- and gluten-free and high in antioxidants, and it
contains 19 vitamins and minerals; it is also a natural source of
high-quality protein and dietary fiber; and
WHEREAS, The pecan has long been a profitable crop for Texas
farmers, and it is the only commercially grown nut in the state; as
early as the 1850s, the Port of Galveston alone was exporting
thousands of bushels each year, and by 1910, Texas produced nearly
six million pounds of pecans annually; in the past century, the
state has become one of the leading commercial producers of pecans
in the nation; in 2014, it produced 61 million pounds, which
contributed nearly $108 million to the Texas economy; and
WHEREAS, Beyond its financial value, the pecan is prized for
its rich flavor and for the diverse roles it plays in the culinary
world, enriching everything from salads to side dishes to desserts;
the reverence that Texans have for the nut is reflected in the
official honors it has received through the years; in 1919, the 36th
Texas Legislature declared the pecan tree the state tree, in 1995,
the 74th Legislature proclaimed pecan pie as the state pie, and in
2001, the 77th Legislature designated the pecan as the state's
official health nut; and
WHEREAS, Texas is one of few places where pecans are
harvested in October, making that month a fitting time to pay
tribute to the contributions of the pecan industry and to honor the
special affection that residents of the Lone Star State have for
this distinctly Texan delicacy; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby recognize October 2017 as
Texas Pecan Month.