Pecans in the shell; photo by Yael Beeri on Flickr (noncommercial use permitted with attribution
Official State Health Nut of Texas
Texas designated the pecan as the official state health nut in 2001. Texas is the largest producer of native pecans, and has also named the pecan as the state tree, and pecan pie as the official state pie. All State Foods
Pecan Facts
There are over 1,000 varieties of pecans - many are named for Native American Indian tribes such as Cheyenne, Mohawk, Sioux, Choctaw and Shawnee. The pecan, because of its pure American heritage, is honored by having the month of April declared as National Pecan Month. Astronauts took pecans to the moon on two Apollo space missions.
"Thomas Jefferson transplanted pecan trees from the Mississippi Valley to his home in Monticello. He also gave some of the trees to George Washington, who planted them in 1775 at his Mount Vernon home... three of those original trees still thrive at Mount Vernon. The pecan was a favorite nut of both presidents ... George Washington was said to carry pecans in his pocket frequently" (condensed from Pecans - The True Blue-Blooded Americans: Vegetarians in Paradise).
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The State of Texas traditionally has recognized a variety of official state symbols as tangible representations of the proud spirit and heritage of our state; and
WHEREAS, The bluebonnet, the lightning whelk, and the armadillo are examples of some natural specimens that serve to symbolize the great diversity of the Texas landscape, while the state dish, chili, fittingly represents another aspect of our shared culture as Texans; and
WHEREAS, One of the state's most universally enjoyed natural resources is the pecan; the nut of this majestic tree, which was deservedly named the state tree of Texas in 1919, is a delicious food product with considerable nutritional and health benefits; and
WHEREAS, Pecans contain protein, healthful oils, carbohydrates, fiber, iron, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and potassium, as well as Vitamins A, B, C, and E and other antioxidants; scientific studies have also demonstrated that pecans can lower cholesterol, significantly contributing to improved cardiovascular health, while helping to reduce the risk of cancer; and
WHEREAS, A significant boon to the Lone Star State's economy, the pecan is grown commercially in more than 70 percent of the state's counties, and Texas provides over a quarter of the nation's pecan crop; and
WHEREAS, Nutritious and delicious, the pecan is an enduring and beloved aspect of the Texas landscape, and it is indeed appropriate that it be given special recognition at this time; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby designate the pecan as the Official Health Nut of Texas.
