By Gutierrez H.R. No. 387 77R8371 MMS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Governor Rick Perry has been chosen as 2001 Border 1-2 Texan of the Year and will be honored with a reception and dinner 1-3 in Hidalgo on March 2 during Hidalgo's BorderFest; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Sworn in as the 47th governor of Texas on December 1-5 21, 2000, Governor Perry has spoken strongly of his intention to 1-6 make border issues a priority during his administration; his goals 1-7 for the region include improving health care, educational 1-8 opportunities, and infrastructure for border residents; and 1-9 WHEREAS, The historic Texas borderlands stretch some 1,250 1-10 miles along the Rio Grande and encompass communities dating back to 1-11 the 17th and 18th centuries; today three of the fastest growing 1-12 metropolitan areas in the United States are located in this 1-13 extensive district; and 1-14 WHEREAS, In helping residents of the Texas border meet the 1-15 myriad challenges and opportunities of the dawning century, 1-16 Governor Perry will be able to draw on significant personal and 1-17 professional experience relating to issues of importance to this 1-18 state; and 1-19 WHEREAS, A fifth-generation Texan, he was raised on his 1-20 family's farm and ranch near Paint Creek in Haskell County and 1-21 earned a degree in animal science from Texas A&M University; after 1-22 representing his rural district in the house of representatives 1-23 from 1985 to 1991, he served two terms as Texas commissioner of 1-24 agriculture and subsequently won election in 1998 as lieutenant 2-1 governor; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Governor Perry consequently brings to the work at 2-3 hand not only a deep understanding of rural and agricultural 2-4 issues, but expertise and a perspective gained during his 2-5 outstanding service in both the legislative and executive branches 2-6 of state government; and 2-7 WHEREAS, The Texas borderlands constitute one of the state's 2-8 most diverse and most dynamic regions, and it is indeed appropriate 2-9 that Governor Perry, whose extensive knowledge and commitment are 2-10 being brought to bear in the interests of this vital part of the 2-11 Lone Star State, should be chosen as 2001 Border Texan of the Year; 2-12 now, therefore, be it 2-13 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-14 Legislature hereby congratulate Governor Rick Perry on being named 2-15 2001 Border Texan of the Year and commend his dedication to the 2-16 people of the Texas border region; and, be it further 2-17 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-18 prepared for Governor Perry as an expression of highest esteem by 2-19 the Texas House of Representatives.