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.