By Salinas H.R. No. 93 77R4630 GMW-D 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.