By West H.C.R. No. 68 76R5998 JBR-D HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, February 23, 1999, has been designated 1-2 Midland/Odessa Legislative Day at the Capitol to celebrate this 1-3 splendid pair of cities and the residents who thrive in the region; 1-4 and 1-5 WHEREAS, Springing dramatically from a vast terrain that was 1-6 once an ancient sea, Midland and Odessa are situated in the 1-7 adjacent counties of Midland and Ector, respectively, and each 1-8 serves as a county seat; and 1-9 WHEREAS, Established in 1881 as a water stop on the Texas and 1-10 Pacific Railroad, Odessa traces its naming to Russian railroad 1-11 workers who likened the West Texas plains to the area surrounding 1-12 their Ukrainian home; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Also historically tied to the Texas and Pacific 1-14 Railroad, Midland began as Midway Station, a section house halfway 1-15 between Fort Worth and El Paso; settled in 1885 by midwestern farm 1-16 families, by the late 19th century Midland emerged as one of the 1-17 state's most important cattle-shipping points and served as a 1-18 prominent financial center as well; and 1-19 WHEREAS, The Permian Basin oil boom of the 1920s forever 1-20 changed the agricultural-based economies of Midland and Odessa, 1-21 catapulting both cities into the petroleum industry icons they are 1-22 today; and 1-23 WHEREAS, Rich in history and culture, Midland is home to many 1-24 fine museums, including the Midland County Museum, the Museum of 2-1 the Southwest Complex, the Confederate Air Force Flying Museum, and 2-2 the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum, Library and Hall of Fame; and 2-3 WHEREAS, Odessa boasts a variety of cultural attractions, 2-4 among them, the Permian Playhouse Theatre, the Art Institute for 2-5 the Permian Basin, and the White-Pool House; it is also home to 2-6 Odessa College and The University of Texas of the Permian Basin; 2-7 and 2-8 WHEREAS, Blessed with a fine heritage, abundant natural 2-9 resources, and dynamic citizenry, the cities of Midland and Odessa 2-10 are among the state's most vibrant communities, and the efforts of 2-11 their residents truly merit special praise and recognition; now, 2-12 therefore, be it 2-13 RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-14 hereby recognize February 23, 1999, as Midland/Odessa Day at the 2-15 Capitol and join the citizens of Midland and Odessa in paying 2-16 tribute to these two impressive Texas cities; and, be it further 2-17 RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared 2-18 for the Midland and Odessa chambers of commerce as an expression of 2-19 high regard by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate.