By Puente H.R. No. 362 76R7388 GMW-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The kinship San Antonio shares with Mexico is 1-2 clearly evident in the city's rich history and culture, and it is 1-3 indeed fitting that the Texas House of Representatives take note of 1-4 this special connection; and 1-5 WHEREAS, San Antonio derives its name from the Spanish 1-6 Mission San Antonio de Valero, founded in 1718 and later renamed 1-7 the Alamo; in its early history the city was under Mexican rule, 1-8 and it and the Alamo would later achieve national historical 1-9 significance during the Texas Revolution; and 1-10 WHEREAS, After 1910 and the Mexican Revolution, immigrants 1-11 from Mexico caused the city's population to swell, creating a 1-12 burgeoning and multicultural economy with a lucrative system of 1-13 trade, growing roots that are clearly visible in today's North 1-14 Atlantic Free Trade Agreement; and 1-15 WHEREAS, This shared history and the strong commercial ties 1-16 between San Antonio and Mexico are greatly responsible for the 1-17 distinct Spanish flavor so apparent in the city today; and 1-18 WHEREAS, The most popular visitor destination in Texas, San 1-19 Antonio boasts three renowned landmarks: the Alamo, the Mission 1-20 Trails, and the River Walk; the many attractions led late American 1-21 humorist Will Rogers to proclaim San Antonio one of the four most 1-22 unique cities in America, along with San Francisco, New Orleans, 1-23 and Boston; and 1-24 WHEREAS, San Antonio features a distinctive blending of 2-1 cultures that clearly exhibits its deep roots in the heritages of 2-2 both Mexico and Texas, and it is truly appropriate at this time to 2-3 recognize the close cultural and economic bond between San Antonio 2-4 and Mexico; now, therefore, be it 2-5 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-6 Legislature hereby recognize San Antonio as the "Gateway to Mexico" 2-7 and pay tribute to the citizens of this distinguished city.