1-1                                     1
 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 426
 1-3           WHEREAS, The Texas Senate is indeed proud to welcome citizens
 1-4     of Ward County to the State Capitol on March 17, 1999, and this
 1-5     festive event offers an ideal opportunity to recognize the county's
 1-6     many remarkable attributes; and
 1-7           WHEREAS, In true Irish spirit, the people of Ward County,
 1-8     including the residents of Monahans, Grandfalls, Barstow, Pyote,
 1-9     Wickett, Thorntonville, and Royalty, are noted for the "wearing
1-10     of the green" not only on Saint Patrick's Day, but routinely as
1-11     a show of support for the Monahans Lobos; and
1-12           WHEREAS, Ward County was home to both the Jumano Indians in
1-13     the 1580s and the later-arriving Comanches; named for Republic of
1-14     Texas leader Thomas W. Ward, it was created from Tom Green County;
1-15     and
1-16           WHEREAS, In the 1880s railroad stations were established in
1-17     the area as was Monahans, the county seat, which functioned as a
1-18     vital water stop on the Texas and Pacific Railroad; Grandfalls
1-19     and Barstow were major farming communities and the backbone of the
1-20     economy was cattle ranching and oil production; and
1-21           WHEREAS, Today Monahans is a financial and marketing center
1-22     for more than 800 square miles of cattle and oil country and
1-23     Ward County's economic base includes oil, gas, sand and gravel
1-24     production, and cattle ranching; and
 2-1           WHEREAS, The can-do spirit of Ward County citizens has
 2-2     brought  a successful Texas Historical Main Street program, a
 2-3     freedom fair in July, funding to maintain the 4,000-acre Monahans
 2-4     Sandhills State Park, and the Million Barrel Museum built in
 2-5     1928 as an oil storage facility and featuring antique oil field
 2-6     equipment, an amphitheater, and the relocated and restored Holman
 2-7     House that served as an early 20th century hotel; and
 2-8           WHEREAS, Additional attractions that can be enjoyed by
 2-9     visitors and residents alike include Imperial Reservoir and Pyote
2-10     Museum and Rattlesnake Bomber Base, which  was home of the 19th
2-11     (B-17) Bomb Group during World War II; the museum displays artifacts
2-12     of area history and mementos of the base and is located in a county
2-13     park that offers picnicking, swimming, golf, tennis, and overnight
2-14     camping; and
2-15           WHEREAS, Ward County boasts exceptional schools, a progressive
2-16     hospital, park system, and several community and convention centers,
2-17     and the strong local work ethic and forward-thinking citizens
2-18     attract new industry to the county, which cherishes its rich,
2-19     culturally diverse history and is located not far from the hometown
2-20     of the Honorable George W. Bush and his wife, Laura; and
2-21           WHEREAS, Ward County residents truly exemplify the spirit of
2-22     the Lone Star State and it is indeed fitting at this time that they
2-23     receive legislative recognition for their county's proud heritage
2-24     and their citizens' many accomplishments; now, therefore, be it
2-25           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
2-26     76th Legislature, hereby salute the citizens of Ward County,
 3-1     recognize that Ward County is the home of some of the most abundant
 3-2     and best tasting drinking water in the State of Texas, and extend
 3-3     warmest wishes to members of the delegation on the occasion of
 3-4     their visit to the State Capitol; and, be it further
 3-5           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared
 3-6     for the citizens of Ward County as an expression of high regard by
 3-7     the Texas Senate. 
 3-8                                                                  Duncan
 3-9                                  ______________________________________
3-10                                          President of the Senate
3-11                                       I hereby certify that the above
3-12                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
3-13                                  on March 17, 1999.
3-14                                  ______________________________________
3-15                                          Secretary of the Senate
3-16                                  ______________________________________
3-17                                           Member, Texas Senate