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.