R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is indeed proud 1-2 to welcome citizens of Ward County to the State Capitol on March 1-3 17, 1999, and this festive event offers an ideal opportunity to 1-4 recognize the county's many remarkable attributes; and 1-5 WHEREAS, In true Irish spirit, the people of Ward County, 1-6 including the residents of Monahans, Grandfalls, Barstow, Pyote, 1-7 Wickett, Thorntonville, and Royalty, are noted for the "wearing of 1-8 the green" not only on St. Patrick's Day, but routinely as a show 1-9 of support for the Monahans Lobos; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Ward County was home to both the Jumano Indians in 1-11 the 1580s and the later-arriving Comanches; named for Republic of 1-12 Texas leader Thomas W. Ward, it was created from Tom Green County; 1-13 and 1-14 WHEREAS, In the 1880s railroad stations were established in 1-15 the area, as was Monahans, the county seat, which functioned as a 1-16 vital water stop on the Texas and Pacific Railroad; Grandfalls and 1-17 Barstow were major farming communities, and the backbone of the 1-18 economy was cattle ranching and oil production; and 1-19 WHEREAS, Today Monahans is a financial and marketing center 1-20 for more than 800 square miles of cattle and oil country, and Ward 1-21 County's economic base includes oil, gas, sand and gravel 1-22 production, and cattle ranching; and 1-23 WHEREAS, The can-do spirit of Ward County citizens has 1-24 brought a successful Texas Historical Main Street program, a 2-1 freedom fair in July, funding to maintain the 4,000-acre Monahans 2-2 Sandhills State Park, and the Million Barrel Museum built in 1928 2-3 as an oil storage facility and featuring antique oil field 2-4 equipment, an amphitheater, and the relocated and restored Holman 2-5 House that served as an early 20th century hotel; and 2-6 WHEREAS, Additional attractions that can be enjoyed by 2-7 visitors and residents alike include Imperial Reservoir and Pyote 2-8 Museum and Rattlesnake Bomber Base, which was home of the 19th 2-9 (B-17) Bomb Group during World War II; the museum displays 2-10 artifacts of area history and mementos of the base and is located 2-11 in a county park that offers picnicking, swimming, golf, tennis, 2-12 and overnight camping; and 2-13 WHEREAS, Ward County boasts exceptional schools, a 2-14 progressive hospital, park system, and several community and 2-15 convention centers, and the strong local work ethic and 2-16 forward-thinking citizens attract new industry to the county, which 2-17 cherishes its rich, culturally diverse history and is located not 2-18 far from the hometown of the Honorable George W. Bush and his 2-19 wife, Laura; and 2-20 WHEREAS, Ward County residents truly exemplify the spirit of 2-21 the Lone Star State and it is indeed fitting at this time that they 2-22 receive legislative recognition for their county's proud heritage 2-23 and their citizens' many accomplishments; now, therefore, be it 2-24 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-25 Legislature hereby salute the citizens of Ward County, recognize 2-26 that Ward County is the home of some of the most abundant and best 2-27 tasting drinking water in the State of Texas, and extend warmest 3-1 wishes to members of the delegation on the occasion of their visit 3-2 to the State Capitol; and, be it further 3-3 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-4 prepared for the citizens of Ward County as an expression of high 3-5 regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Turner of Coleman _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 301 was adopted by the House on March 17, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House