TITLE: Recognizing February 1, 2017, as Texas Farm Bureau Day at the Capitol and commemorating the 2017 Texas Farm Bureau Leadership Conference.

SUMMARY: Recognizing February 1, 2017, as Texas Farm Bureau Day at the Capitol and commemorating the 2017 Texas Farm Bureau Leadership Conference.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Proud members of the Texas Farm Bureau are gathering in Austin from January 30 to February 1 for their 2017 Leadership Conference and for Texas Farm Bureau Day at the State Capitol on February 1; and WHEREAS, One of the most powerful engines of the Texas economy, agriculture generates $20 billion in cash receipts each year, representing a total economic impact of more than $100 billion annually; Texas produces more cotton and mohair and exports more cotton, beef, and hides than any other state, and with nearly 250,000 farms and ranches covering more than 130 million acres, Texas leads the nation in the number of farms and ranches; over 98 percent of our farms and ranches are owned by families, partnerships, or family-held corporations; and WHEREAS, The Texas Farm Bureau is "the voice of Texas agriculture"; founded in 1933, it is an organization of more than half a million rural families who provide their fellow Texans with abundant and affordable food, fiber, and fuel; the bureau is committed to grassroots advocacy and develops farm-friendly policies that originate with its members, and it speaks on their behalf in the halls of government in Austin and Washington, D.C.; and WHEREAS, Over the course of eight decades, the association has played a vital role in the protection of property rights, the development of the farm-to-market road system, the creation of economic incentives to keep farmers on the land, and the promotion of free and fair trade, and it continues to support farmers and ranchers as they work to meet the challenges of a growing population and advances in technology; and WHEREAS, Agriculture is fundamental to the economy and culture of the Lone Star State, and every day, the Texas Farm Bureau works to build upon that historic legacy and help this vital industry adapt and thrive in the 21st century; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature hereby recognize February 1 as Texas Farm Bureau Day at the State Capitol and commemorate the 2017 Texas Farm Bureau Leadership Conference, extending to all those in attendance sincere best wishes for a meaningful and memorable visit to Austin. Kacal Price King of Uvalde Burns Murr Straus Goldman Oliverson Allen Gonzales of Williamson Ortega Alonzo Gonz lez of El Paso Paddie Alvarado Gooden Parker Anchia Guerra Paul Anderson of Dallas Guillen Perez Anderson of McLennan Gutierrez Phelan Ar valo Hefner Phillips Ashby Hernandez Pickett Bailes Herrero Price Bell Hinojosa Raney Bernal Holland Raymond Biedermann Howard Reynolds Blanco Huberty Rinaldi Bohac Hunter Roberts Bonnen of Brazoria Isaac Rodriguez of Bexar Bonnen of Galveston Israel Rodriguez of Travis Burkett Johnson of Dallas Romero, Jr. Burns Johnson of Harris Rose Burrows Kacal Sanford Button Keough Schaefer Cain King of Hemphill Schofield Canales King of Parker Schubert Capriglione King of Uvalde Shaheen Clardy Klick Sheffield Coleman Koop Shine Collier Krause Simmons Cook Kuempel Smithee Cortez Lambert Springer Cosper Landgraf Stephenson Craddick Lang Stickland Cyrier Larson Stucky Dale Laubenberg Swanson Darby Leach Thierry Davis of Dallas Longoria Thompson of Brazoria Davis of Harris Lozano Thompson of Harris Dean Lucio III Tinderholt Deshotel Martinez Turner Dukes Metcalf Uresti Dutton Meyer VanDeaver Elkins Miller Villalba Faircloth Minjarez Vo Fallon Moody Walle Farrar Morrison White Flynn Mu oz, Jr. Wilson Frank Murphy Workman Frullo Murr Wray Geren Neave Wu Gervin-Hawkins Nev rez Zedler Giddings Oliveira Zerwas Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 200 was adopted by the House on February 1, 2017, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House