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.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)
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 | |
|
|
||
| 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. | ||
