Bill Text: TX HCR37 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Designating Fredericksburg as the official Wine Capital of Texas, replacing the city's previous designation as the Polka Capital of Texas.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-03-12 - Referred to Agriculture & Livestock [HCR37 Detail]
Download: Texas-2019-HCR37-Introduced.html
86R7620 KSM-D | ||
By: Biedermann | H.C.R. No. 37 |
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WHEREAS, The Texas Hill Country is home to more than 50 | ||
wineries and vineyards, and Fredericksburg is the epicenter of this | ||
popular region; and | ||
WHEREAS, Early in the history of Fredericksburg, settlers | ||
used the native mustang grape to make wine; subsequent generations | ||
refined the cultivation of grapes and production of wine, and in | ||
recent years, several wines produced by area vineyards and wineries | ||
have won state and national awards, attesting to the high quality of | ||
local viticulture; and | ||
WHEREAS, Over 600 acres of land north and west of | ||
Fredericksburg are dedicated to growing grapes, and the | ||
concentration of vineyards and wineries along U.S. Highway 290 | ||
draws a host of tourists; visitors enjoy patronizing tasting rooms, | ||
wine cellars, festivals, and a variety of other events, and a number | ||
of guided tours have been established for the convenience of | ||
customers; and | ||
WHEREAS, In recognition of Fredericksburg's importance as a | ||
wine-making center, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau | ||
has established the Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill Country | ||
American Viticultural Area, one of just 242 AVA locations in the | ||
nation; and | ||
WHEREAS, Justly proud of its German heritage, Fredericksburg | ||
was designated as the Polka Capital of Texas by the 73rd Texas | ||
Legislature in 1993; while the city's cultural roots remain a | ||
touchstone for its citizens and its many visitors, the wine | ||
industry has recently become an increasingly prominent focus of | ||
local tourism due to its rapid growth; and | ||
WHEREAS, Hill Country wineries and vineyards contribute | ||
significantly to the prosperity of Fredericksburg, and they have | ||
brought the city international recognition that is a source of | ||
pride to the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it | ||
RESOLVED, That the 86th Legislature of the State of Texas | ||
hereby designate Fredericksburg as the official Wine Capital of | ||
Texas, replacing the city's previous designation as the Polka | ||
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 the date this resolution is finally | ||
passed by the legislature. |