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.