R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is pleased to
 1-2     join the proud residents of Jim Wells County in the celebration of
 1-3     Jim Wells County Day at the State Capitol on February 1, 2001; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Located on the broad, fertile plains of South Texas,
 1-5     Jim Wells County features areas rich in grassland and mesquite,
 1-6     post oak and live oak thickets, and cactus, with nearly half of the
 1-7     county rated as prime farmland; the region's early inhabitants were
 1-8     such Native American tribes as the Chaguanes and Payuguans, who
 1-9     were attracted to the area by its mild winters and abundant game;
1-10     and
1-11           WHEREAS, Spanish colonel Jose de Escandon, who is often
1-12     called the "Father of South Texas," explored and colonized much of
1-13     southern Texas, including the future Jim Wells County in the mid
1-14     1700s; a century later, the area officially came under control of
1-15     the Republic of Texas with the 1848 signing of the Treaty of
1-16     Guadalupe Hidalgo; and
1-17           WHEREAS, A growing population and economy, fueled largely by
1-18     the beef market, came in the wake of the Civil War, and the demands
1-19     for more centralized representation paved the way for the formal
1-20     organization of Jim Wells County in 1912; and
1-21           WHEREAS, While cattle is still a major part of the county's
1-22     economy, the area also produces cotton and sorghum, watermelons,
1-23     grapefruit, and oranges, in addition to ranking as one of Texas'
1-24     leaders in oil production, and the county is a hub of international
 2-1     trade thanks to its strategic location near Mexico; and
 2-2           WHEREAS, Towns in Jim Wells County include Premont, Orange
 2-3     Grove, Sandia, and part of San Diego, as well as the county seat,
 2-4     Alice, which boasts two new state-of-the-art medical facilities,
 2-5     Alice Regional Hospital and Christus Spohn Hospital-Alice;
 2-6     moreover, Alice has long been known as the birthplace of Tejano
 2-7     music and is home to the newly dedicated Tejano R.O.O.T.S. Hall of
 2-8     Fame Museum; and
 2-9           WHEREAS, Another of Alice's attractions is the South Texas
2-10     Museum, which boasts an outstanding collection of historical
2-11     artifacts and exhibits; this exceptional facility recently launched
2-12     a significant building project that will expand the museum and
2-13     enhance its ability to provide county residents with an exemplary
2-14     view of South Texas history; and
2-15           WHEREAS, An area rich in history and tradition, Jim Wells
2-16     County is a good place in which to live, work, and raise a family,
2-17     and it is indeed a privilege to recognize the contributions its
2-18     residents have made to the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it
2-19           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-20     Legislature hereby welcome the visiting delegation from Jim Wells
2-21     County and recognize February 1, 2001, as Jim Wells County Day at
2-22     the State Capitol.
                                                                     Salinas
                                             _______________________________
                                                   Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.R. No. 93 was adopted by the House on
         February 1, 2001, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House