H.R. No. 258
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, Since its settlement in the 1880s, the Texas
    1-2  Panhandle has contributed significantly to the state's unique
    1-3  history with its rich and colorful past, and the hardy pioneers who
    1-4  settled the area would indeed be proud of its tremendous growth and
    1-5  progress over the course of the past century; and
    1-6        WHEREAS, The region enjoys the rich soil of the great
    1-7  American grassland, abundant natural resources, and hardworking,
    1-8  community-spirited citizens who have ensured the area's continued
    1-9  growth and prosperity by a commitment to progress that is
   1-10  exemplified through a strong, diversified economy and a quality of
   1-11  life that continues to grow even better with each passing year; and
   1-12        WHEREAS, The petroleum and agricultural industries play a
   1-13  major role in the area's economy, which has been further
   1-14  strengthened through diversification into such areas as
   1-15  manufacturing, distribution, food processing, and medical services;
   1-16  and
   1-17        WHEREAS, With six million acres of farmland, the High Plains
   1-18  serve as the state center for a vast variety of crop and cattle
   1-19  production enterprises that generate more than $4 billion a year in
   1-20  sales; the Panhandle boasts 25 percent of the nation's fed cattle
   1-21  and nearly 80 percent of the state's fed cattle, and crops include
   1-22  grain, sorghum, hay, alfalfa, maize, wheat, soybean, winter barley,
   1-23  and rye; and
   1-24        WHEREAS, More than 15,000 oil and gas wells are currently
    2-1  producing in the region, and the Panhandle is also home to the
    2-2  largest inland petroleum refinery in the world; more than 600
    2-3  billion cubic feet of gas is produced yearly in the region and the
    2-4  area serves as the headquarters for a number of major oil and gas
    2-5  companies, including Phillips Petroleum, Maxus, Mesa, and Diamond
    2-6  Shamrock; and
    2-7        WHEREAS, In addition, the Panhandle has developed a
    2-8  reputation for its commitment to excellence in education, with West
    2-9  Texas State University, Amarillo College, Clarendon College, Frank
   2-10  Phillips College, and Texas State Technical College all providing
   2-11  outstanding educational opportunities to area residents; and
   2-12        WHEREAS, Blessed with a wealth of resources and a dynamic,
   2-13  forward-looking population, the Texas Panhandle continues to play a
   2-14  unique role in Texas' development; it is indeed fitting that its
   2-15  citizens receive our highest praise and recognition for their many
   2-16  significant contributions to the strength and vitality of this
   2-17  state; now, therefore, be it
   2-18        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
   2-19  Legislature hereby welcome the proud residents of the Texas
   2-20  Panhandle on their visit to the State Capitol and commend them for
   2-21  their exemplary achievement in building one of Texas' finest
   2-22  regions.
   2-23                                                             Swinford
   2-24                                                              Smithee
   2-25                                                             Swinford
   2-26                                                              Smithee