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