By: West, Buddy H.R. No. 136 73R3460 JLZ-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The citizens of Odessa are justifiably proud of 1-2 their community's rich history, traditions, and record of 1-3 achievements and of the important role it has played in the 1-4 economic development not only of West Texas but of the entire 1-5 state; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Founded in 1881 as a stop on the Texas and Pacific 1-7 Railroad, the community of Odessa has seen its colorful past and 1-8 its economic development closely entwined with two of the most 1-9 important foundations of the state's enduring legacy, farming and 1-10 ranching and the oil and gas industry; and 1-11 WHEREAS, The principal shipping point for the surrounding 1-12 Plains livestock area, the city ushered in a new era in 1929-1930 1-13 with the opening of the Penn oil field and the Crowden oil field; 1-14 this significant event brought the fabled oil boom to West Texas, 1-15 helping to sustain the Texas economy for much of the twentieth 1-16 century, and ultimately added a new dimension to the state's 1-17 already legendary image; and 1-18 WHEREAS, Although the great wealth derived from this 1-19 discovery of abundant energy sources propelled the city's dynamic 1-20 growth and development, an equally important resource through the 1-21 years has been the community's energetic and enterprising populace, 1-22 and as concern grows about the depletion of exhaustible resources, 1-23 it is this limitless human resource that holds the key to the 1-24 city's and the state's future; and 2-1 WHEREAS, Odessans have forged boldly ahead into new areas of 2-2 endeavor with great success, and its cultural institutions such as 2-3 the symphony and chorale, the Civic Music Association, the Permian 2-4 Playhouse Theater, and the Globe of the Great Southwest have earned 2-5 widespread acclaim for excellence in the performing arts; and 2-6 WHEREAS, The city also boasts an excellent public school 2-7 system and is home to several fine institutions of higher learning, 2-8 The University of Texas of the Permian Basin and Odessa College; 2-9 and 2-10 WHEREAS, Noted for their great civic interest as well as 2-11 pride in their community, the citizens of Odessa have also taken 2-12 their citizenship responsibilities seriously and have worked 2-13 diligently to maintain close contact with their elected 2-14 representatives; and 2-15 WHEREAS, In recent years, the citizens of Odessa, working 2-16 with and through the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, have demonstrated 2-17 this exemplary spirit of community pride and civic-mindedness by 2-18 joining with their community's elected officials in a celebration 2-19 of Odessa Day at the Capitol; and 2-20 WHEREAS, In this and in all their endeavors, past and 2-21 present, the citizens of Odessa have rightfully earned special 2-22 praise and recognition, and the members of this body wish to take 2-23 advantage of this occasion to join our fellow Texans in saluting 2-24 this model community; now, therefore, be it 2-25 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 2-26 Legislature hereby recognize February 3, 1993, as Odessa Day at the 2-27 Capitol and extend best wishes to all of the community's fine 3-1 residents on this noteworthy occasion; and, be it further 3-2 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-3 prepared for the Odessa Chamber of Commerce as an expression of 3-4 high esteem by the Texas House of Representatives.