By: Zaffirini S.R. No. 361
1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION
1-2 WHEREAS, On March 8, 1995, many proud residents of
1-3 Atascosa County will travel to the State Capitol to celebrate
1-4 their community's heritage and to share with fellow Texans their
1-5 history, traditions, and achievements; and
1-6 WHEREAS, Deriving its name from the Spanish word used to
1-7 describe a boggy terrain and crisscrossed by numerous streams
1-8 that feed the Atascosa River, this grassy prairie region of
1-9 South Texas attracted successive waves of Spanish, Mexican, and
1-10 Anglo-American settlers throughout its early history, and by the
1-11 time of the Texas Revolution a flourishing ranching industry was
1-12 well underway; and
1-13 WHEREAS, Although the Texas Revolution temporarily disrupted
1-14 the area's settlement, ranching activity began anew, and by the
1-15 1850s the area was sufficiently populated that a new county was
1-16 created from Bexar County in 1856, with a county seat at Navatasco
1-17 on land donated by Jose Antonio Navarro; two years later a permanent
1-18 county seat was established at Pleasanton; and
1-19 WHEREAS, Situated astride the famous Camino Real, the region
1-20 throughout its history has benefitted from its location on major
1-21 transportation arteries linking it with the Gulf Coast, the
1-22 Rio Grande Valley, and Mexico, as well as other major population
1-23 centers; and
2-1 WHEREAS, At the height of the railroads' glory days, the
2-2 community was served by the San Antonio, Uvalde, and Gulf Railway
2-3 and the San Antonio Southern Railway; currently served by four key
2-4 north-south highways that traverse the region, Atascosa County
2-5 today is poised to reap the economic benefits of heightened
2-6 commercial traffic between Mexico and the United States along
2-7 major NAFTA trade routes; and
2-8 WHEREAS, These developments hold the key to a more prosperous
2-9 economic future for a community already enjoying the rewards of a
2-10 healthy economy based on an abundance of natural resources; blessed
2-11 with productive range and irrigated farm land, Atascosa County is
2-12 renowned for its farm and ranch industry; and
2-13 WHEREAS, Proud of its ranching heritage, Pleasanton bills
2-14 itself as the Birthplace of the Cowboy, a designation symbolized
2-15 by an imposing bronze statue in front of the city hall, while
2-16 nearby Poteet stakes its claim to fame as the Strawberry Capital
2-17 of the World with a seven-foot, 1,600-pound monument to the fruit
2-18 gracing the lawn in front of its city hall and a gala Strawberry
2-19 Festival each April, the fourth-largest agricultural festival in
2-20 the state; and
2-21 WHEREAS, Other resources such as oil and gas also play a
2-22 pivotal role in the county's ongoing development, but the most
2-23 important asset in developing an increasingly diverse economy is
2-24 an industrious citizenry proud of its heritage and traditions and
2-25 eager to meet the challenges and opportunities the future holds;
3-1 and
3-2 WHEREAS, For more than a century, the citizens of
3-3 Atascosa County have contributed to Texas' economic and cultural
3-4 development, and they are justifiably proud of their rich history,
3-5 traditions, and record of achievement; it gives the members of this
3-6 body great pleasure to join them on this occasion in a well-deserved
3-7 salute; now, therefore, be it
3-8 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
3-9 74th Legislature, hereby recognize March 8, 1995, as Atascosa County
3-10 Day at the Capitol and extend warmest regards to all of the county's
3-11 fine residents on this noteworthy occasion.
3-12 ______________________________________
3-13 President of the Senate
3-14 I hereby certify that the above
3-15 Resolution was adopted by the Senate
3-16 on March 8, 1995.
3-17 ______________________________________
3-18 Secretary of the Senate
3-19 ______________________________________
3-20 Member, Texas Senate