TITLE: Designating Terry County as the official Grape Capital of Texas.

SUMMARY: Designating Terry County as the official Grape Capital of Texas.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Terry County grows more grapes than all the other counties in Texas combined; in 2013, there were approximately 800 acres of vineyards in the county, constituting more than 80 percent of the grapes in the state; as many as 3,000 acres of grapes are expected to be planted in the county by the end of 2015 and 10,000 acres in the coming years; and WHEREAS, Terry County is part of the High Plains region, which endures many hot days but, at an altitude of over 3,600 feet, enjoys cool summer nights; this drop in temperature slows the pace of ripening and enables the grapes to mature over the growing season, producing a better juice for wine production; and WHEREAS, The region is extraordinarily windy, which reduces problems related to humidity, such as mildew; its soil is sandy clay over a bed of caliche, and these layers allow good drainage down to the bedrock; and WHEREAS, Many Terry County farmers are agricultural producers whose families have been in the area for generations; they possess unparalleled knowledge of the land and the requisite work ethic to successfully bring a crop to maturity; with each growing season, more acreage is planted with grapes and the farming community's knowledge of grape growing also increases; and WHEREAS, The business community in the county fully supports the grape-growing industry, and a local chamber of commerce held the first Taste of Terry County Vineyard Festival in 2013; and WHEREAS, An increasing number of publications, such as the Wall Street Journal,are recognizing Terry County for its development into a producer of world-class wine grapes; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby designate Terry County as the official Grape Capital of Texas; and, be it further RESOLVED, That in accordance with the provisions of Section 391.003(e), Government Code, this designation remain in effect until the 10th anniversary of its designation. President of the Senate Speaker of the House I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 41 was adopted by the Senate on May 8, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. Secretary of the Senate I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 41 was adopted by the House on May 27, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 138, Nays 4, three present not voting. Chief Clerk of the House Approved: Date Governor