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