By: Wentworth S.R. No. 635 1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION 1-2 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes great pride 1-3 in recognizing and celebrating the grand opening on April 7, 1995, 1-4 of the splendid San Antonio racetrack, Retama Park; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Retama Park is the long-awaited horse-racing 1-6 facility that fulfills a dream of the racetrack's chairman of the 1-7 board and chief executive officer, Joe R. Straus, Jr., and of 1-8 citizens across the state who have for years envisioned a Class 1 1-9 racetrack for thoroughbred horses in the Lone Star State; and 1-10 WHEREAS, The completion of the $79 million project is a 1-11 story of vision, tenacity, and perseverance that dates back to the 1-12 1930s when pari-mutuel racing was illegal, and Joe Straus, Sr., 1-13 and others began a crusade to bring the sport back to Texas; 1-14 Mr. Straus's sons, David Straus and Joe Straus, Jr., have continued 1-15 their father's legacy which now comes to fruition with the creation 1-16 of Retama Park; and 1-17 WHEREAS, After a 50-year absence, pari-mutuel wagering was 1-18 legalized in Texas in 1987; the Retama Park Association was formed 1-19 in 1989, and the land acquisition process began; the initial 1-20 investors were Joe Straus, Jr., David Straus, and Jerry Carroll; 1-21 in 1991, new investors became limited partners in Retama Partners, 1-22 Limited, and the park was granted a Class 1 license by the Texas 1-23 Racing Commission; and in 1993, financing for the park was 2-1 completed with the receipt of $56.2 million of proceeds from the 2-2 sale of tax-exempt municipal bonds through the City of Selma; and 2-3 WHEREAS, The experienced racetrack leader of Garden State 2-4 Park in New Jersey, Robert J. Quigley, was hired to be president 2-5 and chief operating officer of the Retama Park project in 1992, 2-6 and construction on the racetrack began January 3, 1994; the first 2-7 steps in designing the park were undertaken by the San Antonio 2-8 architectural firm of Ford, Powell and Carson, and later HKS, a 2-9 major architectural firm in Dallas, was responsible for the 2-10 completion of the design work; and 2-11 WHEREAS, A pleasing example of Southwestern architecture, 2-12 Retama Park is a beautifully designed facility of buff-colored 2-13 buildings, textures, and archways that reflect the regional 2-14 character and charm of San Antonio and that blend well with the 2-15 Central Texas landscape; and 2-16 WHEREAS, The 200-plus-acre racetrack site features a 2-17 striking grandstand of soft tan stucco siding and arched windows; 2-18 the construction of the racetrack, grandstand, and stable area, 2-19 which includes 23 barns, five dormitories, two loading ramps, and 2-20 jockeys' quarters, was coordinated and planned with expertise under 2-21 the guidance of Project Control of Texas, the project's "Central 2-22 Command Station"; and 2-23 WHEREAS, A major asset to the State of Texas, Retama Park is 2-24 a world-class facility that has provided thousands of jobs for 2-25 area citizens and has helped to boost the local economy; employment 3-1 opportunities have been provided for 750 on-track workers, vendors, 3-2 horsemen, construction workers, mutuel tellers, security workers, 3-3 information guides, and maintenance workers; others who will 3-4 benefit include trainers, jockeys, grooms, blacksmiths, and 3-5 veterinarians; and 3-6 WHEREAS, An immense and impressive undertaking, 3-7 Retama Park will be a significant source of revenue for the 3-8 City of Selma, the City of San Antonio, Bexar County, and the 3-9 State of Texas; Bexar County and Selma will benefit from the 3-10 sales tax and admission tax and increased property values; the 3-11 state can expect a financial windfall from the wagering takeout, 3-12 and San Antonio, one of the country's favorite tourist spots, 3-13 has another magnificent attraction to offer its visitors; now, 3-14 therefore, be it 3-15 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 3-16 74th Legislature, hereby commend all who were responsible for 3-17 the creation of this remarkable Class 1 racetrack and extend best 3-18 wishes for much success to those attending the grand opening of 3-19 Retama Park; and, be it further 3-20 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 3-21 the Retama Park Association as an expression of appreciation and 3-22 high regard from the Texas Senate. 3-23 ______________________________________ 3-24 President of the Senate 3-25 I hereby certify that the above 4-1 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 4-2 on April 5, 1995. 4-3 ______________________________________ 4-4 Secretary of the Senate 4-5 ______________________________________ 4-6 Member, Texas Senate