H.C.R. No. 65
 
 
 
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 
         WHEREAS, The State of Texas has traditionally designated a
  variety of official state symbols that embody the proud spirit and
  rich heritage of our state; and
         WHEREAS, The bluebonnet, the Guadalupe bass, and the
  mockingbird serve to represent the great diversity of the flora and
  fauna of Texas, while the state dish, chili, aptly evokes our shared
  culinary culture; and
         WHEREAS, In keeping with this custom, the designation of the
  western honey bee as the official state pollinator of Texas
  constitutes an appropriate recognition of the importance of this
  highly productive species found in the state; and
         WHEREAS, Known to scientists as Apis mellifera, the western
  honey bee is the most widely domesticated of the several honey bee
  species that exist in the world and is a familiar sight in Texas,
  where its distinctive black-and-yellow abdomen and its zigzagging
  flight from flower to flower make the insect instantly
  recognizable; referred to simply as the honey bee, it is renowned
  for its ability to make its signature sweetener and, along with
  other members of its genus, is the only insect that produces a food
  eaten by humankind; and
         WHEREAS, Even more significant than the production of honey,
  however, is the honey bee's essential role in the pollination of
  crops; this industrious insect enables the production of at least
  90 commercially grown crops in North America, including 75 percent
  of all fruits, nuts, and vegetables, contributing more than $15
  billion to the nation's economy every year; pollination by the
  honey bee accounts for approximately 80 percent of all insect
  pollination, far exceeding that of butterflies, beetles, and wasps;
  and
         WHEREAS, The honey bee is critical to the agriculture and
  commerce of this state, where the economic impact of the food and
  fiber sector totals more than $100 billion annually; to take but one
  example, the bee helps Texas farmers to produce more cotton than
  farmers anywhere else in the country; cash receipts from Texas
  cotton in 2012 alone amounted to $2.2 billion; and
         WHEREAS, In recognition of this insect's importance, the City
  of Austin passed a resolution forbidding the destruction of feral
  bees within its city limits, instead allowing colonies to be
  sustainably relocated by Central Texas Bee Rescue; and
         WHEREAS, A creature as beautiful and memorable as the Texas
  sky, the western honey bee works each day to preserve the balance of
  nature, allowing our crops to flourish, the agriculture of Texas to
  thrive, and our economy to grow, and its unique relationship to the
  welfare of this land makes it a truly fitting symbol for the
  majestic spirit of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas
  hereby designate the western honey bee as the official state
  pollinator of Texas.
 
  Naishtat
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.C.R. No. 65 was adopted by the House on May
  5, 2015, by the following vote:  Yeas 142, Nays 1, 3 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.C.R. No. 65 was adopted by the Senate on May
  20, 2015, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate   
  APPROVED: __________________
                  Date       
   
           __________________
                Governor