By: Cuellar, R. H.R. No. 283 73R4650 JLZ-F R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Like Texans everywhere, the residents of Pharr are 1-2 justifiably proud of their local community, its history and 1-3 traditions, and the many natural assets that make the city a 1-4 wonderful place in which to work and play; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Founded in 1909 and named for Henry N. Pharr, a 1-6 sugar plantation owner from Louisiana, this pleasant South Texas 1-7 community was ideally situated to become a shipping point for the 1-8 area's agricultural economy when the St. Louis, Brownsville, and 1-9 Mexico Railway Company began serving the town two years later; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Located in Hidalgo County, Pharr also benefited both 1-11 from its proximity to the Texas-Mexico border and from the Lower 1-12 Rio Grande Valley's rich alluvial soils and semitropical climate to 1-13 become a center for trade, trucking, and tourism; and 1-14 WHEREAS, Although a hotel, bank, and several businesses were 1-15 already thriving by the time the first post office opened in March 1-16 1911, the city ushered in a new era of civic pride and achievement 1-17 when it was incorporated in 1916; the town's population more than 1-18 doubled in the aftermath of its incorporation, growing from 600 to 1-19 1,560 inhabitants in the five-year period between 1915 and 1920; 1-20 and 1-21 WHEREAS, The city's population growth spurred further 1-22 development as civic leaders worked tirelessly to enhance the 1-23 quality of life for local residents, organizing a fire department 1-24 in 1925 and founding a public library in 1930; the Pharr Civic Club 2-1 also was formed in 1930 and in 1936 became the Pharr Garden Club, 2-2 which today is one of the oldest organizations in the city and 2-3 continues to be active in many important civic projects; and 2-4 WHEREAS, Other community service organizations also became 2-5 active early in Pharr's history, beginning with the founding of the 2-6 local Kiwanis Club in 1927; a Lions Club was organized in 1946, and 2-7 local Rotarians became active with the formation of their Rotary 2-8 Club 10 years later; and 2-9 WHEREAS, Many leading members of the community also have 2-10 given generously of their time and energy to the betterment of the 2-11 community through their membership in the Pharr Chamber of 2-12 Commerce, one of the most influential entities in the city since 2-13 its inception in 1944; and 2-14 WHEREAS, Much of the community's civic energy over the years 2-15 has gone into the establishment and maintenance of a system of 2-16 public schools to educate Hidalgo County's youth; the citizens of 2-17 Pharr joined with two neighboring communities to form the Pharr-San 2-18 Juan-Alamo Independent School District, which currently serves 2-19 approximately 15,000 students in the area; and 2-20 WHEREAS, Although it has long played an important role in the 2-21 development of the South Texas economy as a shipping point for the 2-22 Rio Grande Valley's renowned citrus and vegetable crops, perhaps 2-23 the community's chief claim to fame lies in its distinction as the 2-24 RV Capital of Texas; and 2-25 WHEREAS, Home to some of the finest recreational vehicle 2-26 parks in the state, including two of the 14 RV parks in the entire 2-27 nation to earn a five-star rating, Pharr is a popular destination 3-1 for a large contingent of winter Texans who come south each year to 3-2 escape the bitter cold of northern winters and who contribute to 3-3 the state's overall economic picture; and 3-4 WHEREAS, With mild winters, a pleasant year-round climate, 3-5 abundant fruits and vegetables from a flourishing agricultural 3-6 sector, easy access to nearby Mexico, and a friendly, 3-7 family-oriented atmosphere, it is no wonder that permanent 3-8 residents and winter visitors alike are proud to call Pharr home; 3-9 now, therefore, be it 3-10 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 3-11 Legislature hereby honor the city of Pharr and its hardworking and 3-12 dedicated citizenry on their many achievements and their 3-13 contributions to the people of this state; and, be it further 3-14 RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared 3-15 for Mayor Rubio O. Salinas, Jr., and for city commissioners Rudy 3-16 Martinez, Romeo Garza, Diana Serna, Jose "Pepe" Salinas, Ricardo 3-17 Medina, and Victor Garcia as an expression of high esteem by the 3-18 Texas House of Representatives.