TITLE: Designating the Texas strip steak as the official State Steak of Texas and directing the Texas Department of Agriculture to promote the Texas strip steak as part of efforts to support Texas beef and agricultural products.

SUMMARY: Designating the Texas strip steak as the official State Steak of Texas and directing the Texas Department of Agriculture to promote the Texas strip steak as part of efforts to support Texas beef and agricultural products.

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