By Craddick                                          H.C.R. No. 107
         77R4801 JKB-D                           
                             HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 1-1           WHEREAS, On February 6, 2001, delegates of Midland and Odessa
 1-2     travel to the State Capitol to celebrate the rich Texas heritage of
 1-3     these two esteemed cities and to honor the many contributions of
 1-4     their citizenry throughout the state's history; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, In the heart of the Permian Basin, Midland and
 1-6     Odessa are located in the adjacent counties of Midland and Ector,
 1-7     where each serves as the county seat; linked by both geography and
 1-8     circumstance, these two cities have a shared history unlike any
 1-9     other; and
1-10           WHEREAS, Originally established to facilitate the railroad as
1-11     it moved westward, Midland and Odessa began as small towns with
1-12     economies based primarily on farming and ranching; the city of
1-13     Midland was founded in 1885 by settlers traveling down the
1-14     Chihuahua Trail and was named for its central location between the
1-15     cities of Fort Worth and El Paso; Odessa was established in 1886
1-16     and was named after a city in the Russian steppes whose setting
1-17     bore a notable similarity to the flat grasslands and open prairie
1-18     of West Texas terrain; and
1-19           WHEREAS, In the mid-1920s, the discovery of huge oil and
1-20     natural gas deposits changed the area's economy forever; among
1-21     today's leading petroleum-producing areas, Midland and Odessa have
1-22     emerged as prosperous communities with bright economic futures; and
1-23           WHEREAS, Rich with history and Texas pride, the cities also
1-24     boast citizens with a deep appreciation for the arts, and they
 2-1     serve as home to several museums, theaters, and festivals; Cole
 2-2     Theatre, Ector County Coliseum, the Fire Museum, the Globe of the
 2-3     Great Southwest, the Parker House Museum, the Permian Basin
 2-4     Petroleum Museum, Library and Hall of Fame, and several area parks
 2-5     are just a sampling of the many attractions that make this area
 2-6     beloved by both residents and visitors; and
 2-7           WHEREAS, Blessed with abundant natural resources and a
 2-8     dynamic citizenry, the cities of Midland and Odessa contribute
 2-9     greatly to the Lone Star State, and the achievements of their
2-10     residents are most deserving of special legislative recognition;
2-11     now, therefore, be it
2-12           RESOLVED, That the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas
2-13     hereby designate February 6, 2001, as Midland-Odessa Day at the
2-14     State Capitol and join the citizens of Midland and Odessa in paying
2-15     tribute to these two fine cities.