[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 138 (Saturday, October 28, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2009]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2009]]


             SALUTING TEXAS ROSE FESTIVAL QUEEN AND DUCHESS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Saturday, October 28, 2000

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to pay tribute to the 
queen of the 2000 Texas Rose Festival, Caroline Malone Key, and to 
Tiffany Love Mea, who served as duchess of the rose growers during the 
festival which was held October 19-22 in Tyler, TX--the ``Rose Capital 
of the Nation.''
  Miss Key is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William O. Key of Tyler. Her 
family has been actively involved in the Rose Festival for many years 
and in service to the community, and Caroline has participated in the 
Rose Festival in various capacities in previous years. She is a 
freshman at Millsaps College in Jackson, MS. A native of Tyler, she 
attended All Saints Episcopal School, where she was active in student 
affairs. Her community services activities include St. Louis School, 
Habitat for Humanity, Bellwood Lake Clean-Up, Young Life, Tyler Rose 
Museum, Discovery Science Place and Tyler Day Nursery.
  Miss Mea is the daughter of Pamela Jenkins of Tyler and Joseph C. Mea 
of Lindale. Her father is owner of Mea Nursery of Lindale, where 
Tiffany grew up learning about the industry and developing a special 
appreciation for roses. She attended All Saints Episcopal School in 
Tyler and is a 1999 graduate of San Marcos Baptist Academy. She is an 
honor student at St. Edward's University in Austin, where she is 
majoring in communications production, and is involved in Hunger 
Awareness and Habitat for Humanity. As duchess, Tiffany also will serve 
as an ambassador to Tyler, representing the area and its rose industry 
throughout the year.
  Inspired by the Tyler Garden Club and begun in 1933, the Texas Rose 
Festival represents the spirit that brings Tyler together as a 
community. Tyler is home to the Nation's largest municipal rose garden 
and museum. Approximately one-fifth of all commercial rose bushes 
produced in the United States are grown in Smith County, while over 
one-half of the Nation's rose bushes are packaged and shipped from this 
area. Each year more than 100,000 people from around the world visit 
the Tyler Rose Garden and Museum. The Rose Garden blooms from late 
April until frost with over 30,000 rose bushes exhibiting approximately 
450 varieties of roses. The Museum features memorabilia of past 
festivals, including hand-sewn, jeweled costumes dating as far back as 
1935. James W. Arnold is the 2000 festival president.
  The Texas Rose Festival attracts local citizens and visitors from 
throughout the country and is a showcase for Tyler's hospitality as 
well as its vibrant rose industry. The success of the Rose Festival is 
a reflection of the dedication, hard work and community spirit of 
hundreds of citizens and local businesses in Tyler. It is a source of 
tremendous civic pride for Tyler and East Texas, and it has evolved 
into a premiere event that is known throughout the Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to have participated in the Rose 
Festival for many years, and I would like to take this opportunity to 
commend all those whose efforts have made it possible and to 
congratulate Caroline Key, Rose Festival Queen for 2000, and Tiffany 
Mea, Duchess of the Rose Growers.

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