By:  Nieto                                             H.R. No. 415
       73R6661 LBD-D
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, With pride and dedication, residents of Uvalde
    1-2  County have worked diligently to preserve the charm and history of
    1-3  this fine county since its creation from Bexar County in 1850, and
    1-4  on March 17, 1993, Texans will pay tribute to this pleasant
    1-5  sanctuary of values and traditions as they officially recognize
    1-6  this day as Uvalde County Day at the State Capitol; and
    1-7        WHEREAS, Uvalde County saw its first settlers in 1852 when
    1-8  several corn planters located on the Leona River near Fort Inge;
    1-9  the following year, Reading Wood Black arrived at the settlement on
   1-10  the river and was instrumental in the organization of the county
   1-11  with the county seat at Uvalde; and
   1-12        WHEREAS, Against a backdrop of some of Texas' most ruggedly
   1-13  scenic lands, the county has long been the destination of visitors
   1-14  from around the state who come to enjoy the serenity of its flowing
   1-15  crystal rivers and the recreational opportunities available at
   1-16  Garner State Park or to attend the Cactus Jack Festival, a popular
   1-17  fun-filled event held each year in the community of Uvalde; and
   1-18        WHEREAS, Life in this region is based on the traditional
   1-19  values of hard work passed down through generations; people here
   1-20  make their living mainly through cattle, sheep, and goat ranching
   1-21  and through farming, and they also are famed for their delicious
   1-22  light-colored honey, thanks to the native huajilla shrub on which
   1-23  area bees feed; and
   1-24        WHEREAS, The community of Uvalde is home to many historic
    2-1  sites and buildings, including the Grand Opera House, which was
    2-2  built in 1891 and continues to offer four performances each year,
    2-3  and the Horner General Store, where antique scales and a
    2-4  hand-pulley elevator are still in use; and
    2-5        WHEREAS, In addition, this outstanding community boasts
    2-6  several distinguished native sons and daughters such as John Nance
    2-7  "Cactus Jack" Garner, former vice-president of the United States
    2-8  under Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dolph Briscoe, a former governor of
    2-9  Texas, Dale Evans, the well-known singer and movie star, and Vann
   2-10  McElroy, a professional football player for the Oakland and Los
   2-11  Angeles Raiders and Seattle Seahawks; and
   2-12        WHEREAS, More than 100 years have passed since the
   2-13  establishment of Uvalde County, but strong traditions and communal
   2-14  bonds have continued to maintain this region as an outpost of Texas
   2-15  heritage in an age of major societal change; the citizens of Uvalde
   2-16  County are indeed worthy of special recognition for their
   2-17  exceptional contributions to the greatness of this state; now,
   2-18  therefore, be it
   2-19        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
   2-20  Legislature hereby proclaim March 17, 1993, as Uvalde County Day at
   2-21  the State Capitol and commend its citizens on their outstanding
   2-22  efforts to preserve the distinct cultural heritage of the region;
   2-23  and, be it further
   2-24        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-25  prepared for Uvalde County as an expression of high regard by the
   2-26  Texas House of Representatives.