1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 57 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pride in 1-4 recognizing the members of Washington's Birthday Celebration 1-5 Association and the association's president, Saba Zapata III, 1-6 on their successful annual planning of the celebration of 1-7 Washington's Birthday in Laredo; and 1-8 WHEREAS, Every year, the citizens of Laredo have celebrated 1-9 the birthday of the Father of Our Country; Washington's Birthday 1-10 Celebration Association sponsors the celebration to pay tribute 1-11 to the memory of George Washington and to his virtues and his 1-12 patriotism; this year is the 102nd birthday celebration; and 1-13 WHEREAS, The first meaningful American influence on Laredo 1-14 occurred during the Mexican War when Captain Mirabeau B. Lamar 1-15 organized the city and county governments along American lines; 1-16 after 1847, Laredo had an American government, but a very limited 1-17 amount of American culture was present; most children grew up 1-18 speaking Spanish and the holidays were of Mexican tradition; and 1-19 WHEREAS, In 1881, the city began to change with the arrival 1-20 of two railroads, the Texas Mexican from Corpus Christi and the 1-21 International and Great Northern from San Antonio; the railroads 1-22 brought immigration from the north, and by the 1890s, Laredo's 1-23 population was approximately one-fourth Anglo-American; and 1-24 WHEREAS, In 1870, the mayor of Laredo decided to add some 2-1 American celebrations to the traditional Mexican holidays and 2-2 printed up handbills in honor of George Washington on February 22; 2-3 no tradition was established, however, until the first formal 2-4 Washington Birthday Celebration occurred as a two-day event in 2-5 1898; and 2-6 WHEREAS, Over the years, the holiday in Laredo has gradually 2-7 emerged into a grand celebration entailing numerous events that 2-8 cover a two-week period; the yearly celebrations exemplify the 2-9 spirit and enthusiasm of Laredoans and the pride they take in 2-10 their city and country; now, therefore, be it 2-11 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-12 76th Legislature, hereby commend the members of the George 2-13 Washington Birthday Celebration Association on their patriotism 2-14 and their dedication and extend best wishes to them for a joyous 2-15 102nd birthday celebration; and, be it further 2-16 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 2-17 the association as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. 2-18 Zaffirini 2-19 ______________________________________ 2-20 President of the Senate 2-21 I hereby certify that the above 2-22 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-23 on January 25, 1999. 2-24 ______________________________________ 2-25 Secretary of the Senate 2-26 ______________________________________ 2-27 Member, Texas Senate