By: Zaffirini, et al. S.R. No. 2
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
SENATE RESOLUTION
         WHEREAS, The Texas-Mexico border spans 14 counties in the
  State of Texas, and approximately 10 percent of the state's
  population resides in a Texas-Mexico border county; and
         WHEREAS, Millions of people rely on crossing the border to
  access education, health care, retail, and other service
  industry necessities, and these activities have a positive
  effect on the economic stability of the region; the border
  generated more than $350 billion in annual gross domestic product
  as of 2019, and trade within the region represents more than 5
  percent of Texas' gross domestic product; and
         WHEREAS, In 2018, trade through the El Paso port of entry
  affected approximately 165,000 net jobs in Texas and $25 billion
  in gross domestic product; moreover, Port Laredo is the largest
  inland trade port along the border, ranking third in the nation
  for total trade in May 2021; across the United States, the
  Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge is the second largest
  produce-crossing land port, ensuring the efficient delivery of
  fresh fruits and vegetables to all Americans; and
         WHEREAS, The Texas-Mexico border is a vibrant, thriving,
  multicultural region that contributes to the richness and
  diversity of our state and country; the majority of area
  residents are Americans of at least partial Mexican descent, and
  the tri-national region includes tribal nations such as the
  Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas and Ysleta del Sur Pueblo of
  El Paso; and
         WHEREAS, Border communities have long been recognized for
  their steadfast commitment to safety; countless generations of
  Texans have chosen to rear their families along the Texas-Mexico
  border due to its peaceful community, and some of the safest
  cities in the country include Brownsville, Eagle Pass, Del Rio,
  Laredo, McAllen, and El Paso, which is known for Fort Bliss and
  its significant military presence; and
         WHEREAS, Multiple cities along the border have been
  honored with the All-American City award; El Paso has won the
  award four times, and Edinburg has won three times; other
  recipients of this prestigious designation include Brownsville,
  McAllen, Mission, Hidalgo, Pharr, and Weslaco; and
         WHEREAS, The Texas-Mexico border features an ecologically
  diverse environment; the region's natural sites include the
  Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, Quinta Mazatlán, the
  Butterfly Center, and Big Bend National Park, which attracts
  numerous species of birds, plants, butterflies, bats, reptiles,
  and ants; in addition, one of the state's symbols, the Texas red
  grapefruit, is grown in the Rio Grande Valley; and
         WHEREAS, Countless Texans benefit from the border region's
  premier educational institutions, which include four-year
  universities, junior colleges, and trade schools; more than
  28,600 students are enrolled in The University of Texas Rio
  Grande Valley, and the UTRGV School of Medicine currently serves
  hundreds of medical students, medical residents, and fellows who
  participate in hospital-based training programs; there are three
  higher education institutions in Laredo, namely Texas A&M
  International University and Laredo College, which are
  designated Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and The University of
  Texas System Multi-Institution Center; and
         WHEREAS, The Texas-Mexico border region is playing a vital
  role in the story of the Lone Star State, and it is indeed
  deserving of special recognition; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 87th Texas Legislature,
  2nd Called Session, hereby recognize that the Texas-Mexico
  border is vital to the economy, education, and character of our
  state, and that the cities and counties along the Texas-Mexico
  border are vibrant, prosperous, diverse, and safe communities.