By Romo                                                H.R. No. 824
       74R12561 PAN-D
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, The sister city concept was inaugurated by President
    1-2  Dwight Eisenhower in 1956 to establish greater friendship and
    1-3  understanding between the people of the United States and other
    1-4  nations through the medium of direct personal contact; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, Since that time, the State of Texas has heartily
    1-6  endorsed the formation of cooperative and mutually beneficial
    1-7  relationships between Texas' cities and those in other nations that
    1-8  possess similar attributes; and
    1-9        WHEREAS, To this end, the picturesque city of Leon Valley in
   1-10  Bexar County has formed a special bond with the lovely coastal
   1-11  community of Agropoli, Italy, and this unique tie is proving to be
   1-12  a positive experience for both parties concerned; and
   1-13        WHEREAS, Like its sister city, Agropoli is a charming
   1-14  community of some 10,000 residents that draws much of its income
   1-15  from a booming tourist industry; an early Greek settlement,
   1-16  Agropoli attracts 60,000 visitors each summer who are drawn to the
   1-17  community by its rich archeological finds, beautiful coastline,
   1-18  inviting climate, and warm and friendly residents; and
   1-19        WHEREAS, Agropoli is located in Salerno, a province of nearly
   1-20  900,000 residents; the province's capital city of Salerno is known
   1-21  for its many historic attractions, including San Matteo Cathedral,
   1-22  which was founded in 845 and is the site of the tomb of St.
   1-23  Matthew, and the earliest medical school in Europe, which had
   1-24  already become renowned for its physicians as early as the 10th
    2-1  century; and
    2-2        WHEREAS, In May 1995, a delegation of civic leaders from Leon
    2-3  Valley, led by the city's mayor pro tem, Mary Green, and former
    2-4  mayor Irene Baldridge, will travel to Agropoli, where they will
    2-5  meet with local dignitaries to bring the citizens of their two
    2-6  communities closer together and further strengthen the
    2-7  international understanding and goodwill they have established to
    2-8  date; now, therefore, be it
    2-9        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
   2-10  Legislature hereby honor the city of Agropoli, Italy, and its
   2-11  outstanding citizens for their hospitality in welcoming the Leon
   2-12  Valley delegation to their community and extend to them sincere
   2-13  best wishes for an educational and rewarding visit with their
   2-14  counterparts from Texas; and, be it further
   2-15        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-16  prepared for the citizens of Agropoli, Italy, as an expression of
   2-17  high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.