HR 9131

1	House Resolution
2	A resolution recognizing Florida's vineyards and wineries
3	for their valuable contributions to Florida's rich
4	history, culture, and economy.
5
6	WHEREAS, over 100 years before the Pilgrims landed at
7	Plymouth Rock, and 300 years before California became a state,
8	16th century Spanish explorers settled in Florida, which they
9	aptly named in recognition of the state's beautiful fruits and
10	flowers, and brought with them the traditions of Old World
11	winemaking, and
12	WHEREAS, Spanish settlers harvested the wild Florida grapes
13	and, applying the traditions of their homeland, converted
14	Florida's wild muscadine into the first American wine, and
15	WHEREAS, evoking memories of sleepy summer afternoons in
16	the deep south, smooth, aromatic, and nostalgic muscadine wines
17	are the byproduct of Old World traditions and new world
18	production methods and are a southern specialty produced nowhere
19	else on earth, and
20	WHEREAS, for over 75 years, scholars at the University of
21	Florida have been committed to improving Florida grapes,
22	developing varieties that are well-suited to winemaking and
23	Florida soils and that flourish in Florida's subtropical
24	climate, and
25	WHEREAS, Florida's wineries and vineyards are scattered
26	throughout the state, from Destin, through the Panhandle, and
27	south as far as Plant City and Fort Myers, with harvest times
28	ranging from May to September, and
29	WHEREAS, Florida's vineyards, wineries, and flavorful wines
30	are interesting parts of Florida's history that more and more
31	people are discovering and appreciating, NOW, THEREFORE,
32
33	Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
34	Florida:
35
36	That the Florida House of Representatives recognizes
37	Florida's vineyards and wineries for their valuable
38	contributions to Florida's rich history, culture, and economy.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.