R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The members of this chamber are pleased to welcome 1-2 those citizens who are with us on this day, March 7, 2001, in 1-3 celebration of Victoria Day at the State Capitol; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Established in 1824 by Martin de Leon, Victoria was 1-5 one of the first three towns incorporated by the Republic of Texas 1-6 and is named for General Guadalupe Victoria, who became Mexico's 1-7 first president; and 1-8 WHEREAS, In its infancy, the city was an important commercial 1-9 center for stock raising and shipping; over the years, Victoria has 1-10 continued to grow, and today the county seat of Victoria County has 1-11 a multifaceted economy that revolves around petrochemicals, 1-12 agribusiness, manufacturing, and tourism; moreover, it is a major 1-13 industrial and agricultural crossroads of South Texas and is 1-14 ideally situated for the transportation of goods resulting from the 1-15 North American Free Trade Agreement; and 1-16 WHEREAS, The city enables students to pursue their higher 1-17 education at the University of Houston--Victoria and The Victoria 1-18 College and also features numerous noteworthy attractions for the 1-19 enjoyment of residents and visitors alike, including the McNamara 1-20 Historical Museum, Nave Museum, Victoria Symphony, Victoria 1-21 Community Theater, and Victoria Memorial Square; in addition, the 1-22 city's expansive Riverside Park is home to The Texas Zoo, which 1-23 displays in a natural environment more than 200 species of animals 1-24 and plants that are indigenous to the Lone Star State; and 2-1 WHEREAS, With three golf courses and proximity to several 2-2 bodies of water, Victoria offers ample opportunities for golfing, 2-3 fishing, hunting, and other outdoor activities; those seeking 2-4 different forms of entertainment can keep up with all the news and 2-5 events in Victoria and across the state by reading the Victoria 2-6 Advocate, the state's second-oldest existing newspaper; and 2-7 WHEREAS, The citizens of Victoria have made many significant 2-8 contributions to our state and are readily embracing the challenges 2-9 of the future, and it is most appropriate to pay tribute to them at 2-10 this time; now, therefore, be it 2-11 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-12 Legislature hereby recognize March 7, 2001, as Victoria Day at the 2-13 State Capitol and welcome the citizens visiting on this day. Morrison _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 447 was adopted by the House on March 7, 2001, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House