By Bivins                                       S.C.R. No. 37

      75R6958 SAJ-F                           

                                CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 1-1           WHEREAS, On March 4, 1997, the Texas Legislature will join

 1-2     with the residents of the Texas Panhandle in paying tribute to 26

 1-3     of Texas' finest counties in recognition of their outstanding

 1-4     cultural, economic, and historical contributions to the state; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, The region contributes greatly to Texas' economic

 1-6     prosperity through both agriculture and oil and natural gas

 1-7     production; wheat is the major crop grown in the northern counties,

 1-8     while cotton is the crop of choice in the south, and feedlot

 1-9     operations, meat packing, leather tanning, and fabric milling are

1-10     the other key industries in the area; oil and gas reserves stretch

1-11     120 miles from Moore County to Wheeler County, accentuating the

1-12     importance of natural resources to the area; and

1-13           WHEREAS, The Panhandle is also home to several renowned

1-14     institutions of higher education, including West Texas A&M

1-15     University, Clarendon College, Amarillo College, and Frank Phillips

1-16     College, and each has done an outstanding job in preparing future

1-17     leaders to face the many challenges that lie ahead; and

1-18           WHEREAS, Residents and visitors alike have come to enjoy the

1-19     wide variety of recreational and cultural resources that the area

1-20     has to offer; outdoors enthusiasts can partake in a variety of

1-21     activities at  Palo Duro Canyon State Park, and they can cap off

1-22     their visit with a viewing of the internationally acclaimed musical

1-23     drama "TEXAS" performed under the stars in a natural amphitheater;

1-24     and

 2-1           WHEREAS, History buffs can learn more about the region's past

 2-2     at the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, one of the largest

 2-3     facilities of its kind in the state, while science enthusiasts can

 2-4     spend many fascinating hours at the Krister Aviation and Space

 2-5     Museum; in addition, West Texas A&M University offers an array of

 2-6     interesting events throughout the year; and

 2-7           WHEREAS, Home to more than 400,000 individuals, the Panhandle

 2-8     boasts record high employment rates and is one of the most

 2-9     desirable regions of our state in which to live, work, and rear a

2-10     family; despite its impressive growth rate, the area has retained

2-11     its unique character and charm, and it gives the members of the

2-12     legislature great pleasure to salute the region and its people on

2-13     this auspicious occasion; now, therefore, be it

2-14           RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas

2-15     hereby designate March 4, 1997, as Panhandle Day at the Capitol and

2-16     commend its citizens for their many fine contributions; and, be it

2-17     further

2-18           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-19     prepared for the residents of the Panhandle as an expression of

2-20     high regard by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate.