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