| 1 | 1 | | 86R7620 KSM-D |
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| 2 | 2 | | By: Biedermann H.C.R. No. 37 |
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| 3 | 3 | | |
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| 4 | 4 | | |
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| 5 | 5 | | CONCURRENT RESOLUTION |
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| 6 | 6 | | WHEREAS, The Texas Hill Country is home to more than 50 |
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| 7 | 7 | | wineries and vineyards, and Fredericksburg is the epicenter of this |
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| 8 | 8 | | popular region; and |
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| 9 | 9 | | WHEREAS, Early in the history of Fredericksburg, settlers |
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| 10 | 10 | | used the native mustang grape to make wine; subsequent generations |
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| 11 | 11 | | refined the cultivation of grapes and production of wine, and in |
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| 12 | 12 | | recent years, several wines produced by area vineyards and wineries |
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| 13 | 13 | | have won state and national awards, attesting to the high quality of |
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| 14 | 14 | | local viticulture; and |
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| 15 | 15 | | WHEREAS, Over 600 acres of land north and west of |
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| 16 | 16 | | Fredericksburg are dedicated to growing grapes, and the |
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| 17 | 17 | | concentration of vineyards and wineries along U.S. Highway 290 |
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| 18 | 18 | | draws a host of tourists; visitors enjoy patronizing tasting rooms, |
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| 19 | 19 | | wine cellars, festivals, and a variety of other events, and a number |
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| 20 | 20 | | of guided tours have been established for the convenience of |
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| 21 | 21 | | customers; and |
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| 22 | 22 | | WHEREAS, In recognition of Fredericksburg's importance as a |
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| 23 | 23 | | wine-making center, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau |
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| 24 | 24 | | has established the Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill Country |
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| 25 | 25 | | American Viticultural Area, one of just 242 AVA locations in the |
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| 26 | 26 | | nation; and |
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| 27 | 27 | | WHEREAS, Justly proud of its German heritage, Fredericksburg |
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| 28 | 28 | | was designated as the Polka Capital of Texas by the 73rd Texas |
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| 29 | 29 | | Legislature in 1993; while the city's cultural roots remain a |
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| 30 | 30 | | touchstone for its citizens and its many visitors, the wine |
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| 31 | 31 | | industry has recently become an increasingly prominent focus of |
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| 32 | 32 | | local tourism due to its rapid growth; and |
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| 33 | 33 | | WHEREAS, Hill Country wineries and vineyards contribute |
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| 34 | 34 | | significantly to the prosperity of Fredericksburg, and they have |
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| 35 | 35 | | brought the city international recognition that is a source of |
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| 36 | 36 | | pride to the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it |
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| 37 | 37 | | RESOLVED, That the 86th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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| 38 | 38 | | hereby designate Fredericksburg as the official Wine Capital of |
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| 39 | 39 | | Texas, replacing the city's previous designation as the Polka |
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| 40 | 40 | | Capital of Texas; and, be it further |
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| 41 | 41 | | RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of Section |
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| 42 | 42 | | 391.003(e), Government Code, this designation remain in effect |
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| 43 | 43 | | until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is finally |
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| 44 | 44 | | passed by the legislature. |
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