1-1 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-2 WHEREAS, The Legislature of the State of Texas is pleased to 1-3 recognize the beautiful town of Balmorhea as an Oasis of West 1-4 Texas; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Nestled in the heart of far West Texas, Balmorhea 1-6 was first visited by native American Indians and pioneers who 1-7 gathered in the area due to the famous San Solomon Springs; the 1-8 springs and creeks were a welcome sight to travelers, and to the 1-9 Apache Indians who used them to develop a method of irrigation for 1-10 growing grain; and 1-11 WHEREAS, After Apaches left the area, three people formed the 1-12 Toyah Irrigation Company in 1875, but difficulties with the project 1-13 arose when the partners failed to acquire a right-of-way; and 1-14 WHEREAS, In 1906, the town site was established by land 1-15 promoters, and in 1907, the Toyah Valley Irrigation Company was 1-16 incorporated and purchased many acres in the area; the company's 1-17 owners, E. D. Balcom, H. R. Morrow, J. R. Rhea, and J. W. Rhea, 1-18 gave their names to the town site which became Balmorhea; and 1-19 WHEREAS, In the 1930s, Balmorhea State Park was created and 1-20 now lies four miles west of town; the park contains the San Solomon 1-21 Spring pool, one of the largest spring-fed swimming pools in the 1-22 United States, and a portion of the park has been restored as a 1-23 natural wetlands; and 1-24 WHEREAS, Just south of Balmorhea is Balmorhea Lake, which is 1-25 stocked with bass, perch, and yellow catfish; the lake is on one of 2-1 the major flyways for migratory birds and provides a number of 2-2 recreational opportunities, including canoeing and camping; and 2-3 WHEREAS, Today, as in the past, the unique beauty of 2-4 Balmorhea is due to its location; the town lies in the middle of a 2-5 desert, surrounded by vistas of the Davis Mountain Range, and 2-6 flowing through its center are the clear waters of San Solomon 2-7 Spring; now, therefore, be it 2-8 RESOLVED, That the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-9 hereby commend the citizens of Balmorhea on preserving the beauty 2-10 and charm of their unique town and extend congratulations to them 2-11 for living in what is truly the Oasis of West Texas; and, be it 2-12 further 2-13 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared for the 2-14 citizens of Balmorhea as an expression of esteem from the Texas 2-15 Legislature. S.C.R. No. 57 _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 57 was adopted by the Senate on May 9, 2001. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 57 was adopted by the House on May 28, 2001. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House Approved: _______________________________ Date _______________________________ Governor