followed Representative Leman’s lead, including using his riveting language. Once the bills had sponsors came


the interminable, slow grinding of the legislative wheels. For more details about the Texas timeline view the process at: https://openstates.org/tx/bills/87/


HCR61/. At many of the stages, online support for the bill was solicited as well as in-person testimony. Te CTMS launched a letter-writing campaign to the Culture, Recreation and Tourism House Committee, which was the first step in the approval process. Tis produced 13 pages of support, most from CTMS members. 2021 was a very busy year for the Texas legislature: 9,999 bills introduced, 1,034 signed, and 20 vetoed. Te State Mushroom bill passed in the closing days of the session and was almost the last to reach the governor’s desk for signature. Tere is clearly not a universal road


map. No cookie-cutter approach. Each state legislature has different dynamics, each mushroom society has different resources, strengths and weaknesses. However, there are lessons that might be valuable as other states undertake a similar venture.


Dos


1. Select a charismatic mushroom, unique if possible, around which a compelling story can be constructed.


2. Focus on state pride.


3. Clearly understand the legislative process.


4. Find someone with excellent communication and planning skills with the passion to see the project through.


5. Society members should provide cheerleading and assistance if requested, especially letters of support, but not critique. (Don’t hire a master painter to paint you a masterpiece and then assign a roomful of schoolboy artists to look over his shoulder to suggest improvements.)


6. Recruit knowledgeable, connected constituents to approach legislators from their district.


7. Keep presentations brief, engaging and razor sharp. Legislators are extremely busy.


Fall 2021 FUNGI Volume 14:4 7


Don’ts


1. Don’t be constrained by politics. Te goal is a state mushroom. Tink outside the box.


2. Never dismiss the “Power of One.” (If you want to win the high jump find someone who can jump 8 feet, not 8 people each of whom can jump 1 foot.)


3. In this era of anti-science, don’t overwhelm the story with science or academic support.


4. Te profound message is how a single individual succeeded in tackling a daunting task, navigated a complex bureaucracy, and utilized the power of story-telling to engage legislators who, at the outset, probably knew little or nothing about fungi.


Submitted by a Contributing Editor


(on temporary investigative assignment). Reviewed and signed off by Cy. Photos courtesy of Jared McRae.


H.C.R. No. 61


HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


WHEREAS, Among the fascinating


array of flora in the Lone Star State, one of the most unique species, both in appearance and life cycle, is the Texas star mushroom; and


WHEREAS, Tis extremely rare


mushroom, known scientifically as Chorioactis geaster, was first collected in Austin in 1893 and is nearly exclusive


to Texas, with Japan being the only other place in the world with a notable population; highly selective about where it chooses to grow, the mushroom’s Texas range is limited to the central and northern parts of the state and includes Fayette, Guadalupe, Hays, Travis, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Tarrant, and Hunt Counties; and


WHEREAS, Te Texas star appears


in winter, most commonly on the exposed roots and decaying stumps of cedar elm trees; it emerges as a dark brown capsule about four inches in length, which inspired its nickname, the devil’s cigar; and


WHEREAS, After rains, the


mushroom explodes open with an audible hiss, seemingly puffing smoke as it fills the air with a cloud of spores that waft away to help ensure a future generation for the species; in addition to its other memorable traits, the mushroom, once opened, has a starlike shape that makes it seem custom designed for the Lone Star landscape; and


WHEREAS, A poignant reminder


of the natural diversity that surrounds us, the Texas star mushroom is as uncommon and striking as the state that serves as its home, and it is indeed deserving of special recognition; now, therefore, be it


RESOLVED, Tat the 87th Legislature


of the State of Texas hereby designate the Texas star mushroom as the official State Mushroom of Texas.


Leman


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76