SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 160

WHEREAS, Business and community leaders from El Paso are gathering in Austin to celebrate February 14 through 16, 2023, as El Paso Days at the State Capitol; and

WHEREAS, The sixth-largest city in Texas, El Paso has the distinction of being located where two countries and three states converge, and together with its neighboring border city Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico, it forms the largest bilingual and binational workforce in the Western Hemisphere; the El Paso region also represents one of the largest manufacturing centers in North America, and it boasts key ports of entry that make it a nexus for international trade; area businesses are fortunate to be served by the El Paso Chamber, which has taken the lead in promoting economic prosperity and encouraging a favorable business climate in El Paso for nearly 125 years; and

WHEREAS, This vibrant, bilingual, and bicultural community is home to a number of exemplary educational institutions, museums, and historical sites and to many cultural and fine arts offerings that attract residents and visitors alike; and

WHEREAS, Designated as an All-America City by the National Civic League, El Paso is recognized for its innovation, inclusiveness, public engagement, and cross-border collaboration, and it is consistently rated as one of the safest cities in the nation; and

WHEREAS, The University of Texas at El Paso has received the prestigious R1 designation from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, which recognizes the school's outstanding research activities; UTEP is also noted for providing access to a diverse, 21st-century demographic; and

WHEREAS, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso is a stand-alone health sciences center and home to the first medical school on the nation's southern border; the University Medical Center, the primary teaching institution for TTUHSC El Paso, features the region's only Level I Trauma Center; and

WHEREAS, The city of El Paso has a long and notable association with the 175-year-old Fort Bliss, which serves as the base of the 1st Armored Division, "America's Tank Division"; the Borderplex region also includes the White Sands Missile Range, the largest fully instrumented, open-air test range operated by the U.S. Department of Defense, and Holloman Air Force Base, one of Air Education and Training Command's busiest installations; in acknowledgment of El Paso County's strong military presence, continued partnership with Fort Bliss, and steadfast commitment to veterans, it recently adopted the moniker of "Veterans Capital of the U.S.A."; and

WHEREAS, El Paso is preparing for an exciting new era, as it was the only Texas community to be awarded a $40 million federal grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration; the grant, which will help El Paso pursue the development of advanced manufacturing in the areas of aerospace and defense, was secured through the efforts of UTEP's Aerospace Center, the El Paso Chamber, and the City and County of El Paso; and

WHEREAS, An area with a rich and fascinating heritage, El Paso has contributed immeasurably to the story of the Lone Star State, and its citizens should take great pride in the extraordinary city they call home; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th Legislature, hereby recognize February 14 through 16, 2023, as El Paso Days at the State Capitol and extend a warm welcome to the visiting delegation. Blanco

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 15, 2023.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate