THE STATE OF TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.R. No. 854
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, For more than a decade, the Texas Master Gardener program has served as a valuable and reliable source of horticultural and environmental information for Lone Star gardeners, and the program’s many contributions indeed merit special legislative recognition; and
WHEREAS, The Texas Master Gardener program had its beginnings in 1978, in Texas A&M University extension service training; based on a Washington State project, the program was designed to provide busy county extension agents with expert volunteer service; and
WHEREAS, In 1987, the Texas Cooperative Extension made a commitment to the Texas Master Gardener program with the hiring of a statewide coordinator, and the program’s growth and success have since been exponential; and
WHEREAS, Today, there are more than 4,235 certified Master Gardeners in the program, and together these individuals volunteered 204,666 hours of service to the citizens of Texas in 1998; this volunteer service represents a $2.8 million contribution to the State of Texas, the equivalent of 98 full-time employees; and
WHEREAS, A love of both gardening and knowledge is the catalyst by which Texans from all walks of life enter the Master Gardener program; with an initial requirement of 50 hours of training and 50 hours of service to the community, Master Gardeners are a learned and capable force within the county extension network; and
WHEREAS, Yearly education requirements ensure continuing ability, and Master Gardeners perform a variety of services, from taking phone calls from the frustrated home gardeners to making presentations to garden clubs, civic groups, and community organizations; and
WHEREAS, One of their most important functions has evolved into the Junior Master Gardener program, an outreach effort bringing positive change to the lives of the state’s youth; whether through information booths on vermicomposting or butterfly gardens, coordinating wetlands reclamation or state park landscaping, or simply helping local residents grow bigger chile peppers and roses, Texas Maser Gardeners have established themselves as a premier corps of volunteers, and it is truly appropriate to honor them at this time; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas Legislature hereby commend all those involved with the Texas Master Gardener program and extend to them warmest best wishes for continued success with this worthy endeavor.
Sponsored by Dianne White Delisi
Signed by the Speaker of the House
H.R. No. 854 was adopted by the House on May 19, 1999, by a non-record vote.
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