H.R. No. 210 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor 1-2 the Texas Midwest Community Network for the many substantial 1-3 contributions it has made to the betterment of communities 1-4 throughout the north central Texas region; and 1-5 WHEREAS, The idea for the network was conceived in July 1993 1-6 when a group of Abilene-area civic leaders met to discuss the 1-7 strengths, weaknesses, and needs of the region at the Big Country 1-8 Development Forum, which was sponsored by The Abilene Reporter 1-9 News, the Abilene Chamber of Commerce, and West Texas State 1-10 University; and 1-11 WHEREAS, A task force then began meeting regularly to discuss 1-12 the development of a regional organization, and in the winter of 1-13 1994, area meetings were held in the communities of Haskell, 1-14 Comanche, Breckenridge, Ballinger, and Sweetwater; members 1-15 developed a mission statement and adopted by-laws, and the original 1-16 task force grew to become a steering committee with three 1-17 additional members; and 1-18 WHEREAS, During the spring of that year, the newly formed 1-19 group held a series of meetings in Stamford, Colorado City, 1-20 Brownwood, Bronte, and Albany, where it introduced the organization 1-21 to community representatives and formally launched its membership 1-22 drive; and 1-23 WHEREAS, The network currently represents 20 counties in the 1-24 Texas Midwest, and its growing membership enjoys financial support 2-1 from Texas Rural Communities, Inc., a nongovernmental organization 2-2 that offers assistance to rural Texas communities; and 2-3 WHEREAS, The network's eight committees focus on a variety of 2-4 issues affecting the region and address legislative concerns 2-5 through visits to the State Capitol and state offices; in addition, 2-6 the group hosts informative network luncheons and community 2-7 workshops and provides peer review teams that evaluate member towns 2-8 and suggest appropriate beautification and economic development 2-9 projects; and 2-10 WHEREAS, This commendable organization has done an 2-11 outstanding job of promoting an improved quality of life in the 2-12 Texas Midwest and its exceptional efforts are truly worthy of 2-13 special praise and recognition; now, therefore, be it 2-14 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-15 Legislature hereby honor the Texas Midwest Community Network for 2-16 its noteworthy commitment to the betterment of the Abilene region 2-17 and commend the members of its steering committee: Chairman Rick 2-18 Rhodes, Field Representative Nicki Harle, and members Lydia 2-19 Calcote, James Campbell, Dale Cary, Darla Cotter, Bob Donnell, 2-20 Charlie Dromgoole, Mary Griffis, Aref Hassen, Bobby Hobgood, Tom 2-21 Isbell, Mac Sayles, and Jim Slayton for their outstanding efforts; 2-22 and, be it further 2-23 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-24 prepared for the Texas Midwest Community Network as an expression 2-25 of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.