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