By Turner of Coleman                                   H.R. No. 301
         76R6966 MDM-D                           
                                 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.