R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to

 1-2     welcome the many citizens of McAllen who have traveled to the

 1-3     Capital City on February 20, 1997, to celebrate McAllen Day at the

 1-4     Capitol; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, Founded by John McAllen, a rancher and trader who

 1-6     emigrated from Scotland in the early 1850s, the city had already

 1-7     amassed a rich and colorful history by the time it was incorporated

 1-8     on February 21, 1911; and

 1-9           WHEREAS, This prominent Texas city has emerged from a vast

1-10     region of mesquite and cactus, once known as the Hidalgo Free

1-11     State, to become a bustling commercial and financial center and the

1-12     hub of one of our state's most important agricultural regions; and

1-13           WHEREAS, The rich alluvial soils along the Rio Grande produce

1-14     an abundance of vegetables and citrus as well as grains, cotton,

1-15     and sugar cane; conveniently situated near a Mexican port of entry,

1-16     much of Texas' trade with our southern neighbor goes through

1-17     McAllen; and

1-18           WHEREAS, The city boasts a thriving tourist trade as well,

1-19     and its semitropical climate attracts many visitors from Canada and

1-20     northern America during those regions' winter months; McAllen's

1-21     outstanding convention facilities further make it a perfect place

1-22     for businesses to hold conferences and promote their products and

1-23     ideas; and

1-24           WHEREAS, McAllen and its industrious citizens have not

 2-1     escaped the nation's eye, and the city's recognition level is at an

 2-2     all-time high; in addition to being selected as an All America City

 2-3     in 1996, this standout city was recognized as the best place in the

 2-4     nation to do business by Forbes magazine and was ranked as the 41st

 2-5     best place to live by Money magazine; and

 2-6           WHEREAS, The people of McAllen are justifiably proud of their

 2-7     city, for this unique community and its exceptional citizens have

 2-8     played a significant role in Texas' development, and their many

 2-9     contributions to the Lone Star State are truly worthy of special

2-10     legislative recognition; now, therefore, be it

2-11           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-12     Legislature hereby recognize February 20, 1997, as McAllen Day at

2-13     the Capitol and extend a warm welcome to the fine citizens who have

2-14     traveled to Austin to celebrate this significant event.

                                                                   Gutierrez

                                             _______________________________

                                                   Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.R. No. 193 was adopted by the House on

         February 20, 1997, by a non-record vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House