By Counts                                              H.R. No. 210
       74R5660 SAJ-D
                                  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.