1-1                                     1                                  
 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 156
 1-3           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the citizens
 1-4     of Midland and Odessa to celebrate Midland-Odessa Day at the
 1-5     State Capitol on February 6, 2001; and
 1-6           WHEREAS, Located in the oil-and-gas-rich Permian Basin, both
 1-7     Odessa and Midland were shaped by the same historical developments;
 1-8     and
 1-9           WHEREAS, The City of Midland was born in 1881, when the Texas
1-10     and Pacific Railway established Midway Station at the location,
1-11     the midpoint on its Dallas-El Paso line; Odessa also owes its
1-12     founding to the Texas Pacific Railway, which began using the
1-13     area for a water stop in 1881; and
1-14           WHEREAS, Both Odessa and Midland changed dramatically when
1-15     great amounts of oil and natural gas were discovered in the
1-16     Permian Basin during the 1920s; during the succeeding decades,
1-17     the towns changed from sleepy ranching and farming communities
1-18     to bustling petrochemical centers; and
1-19           WHEREAS, The oil and gas industry brought great prosperity
1-20     to Midland and Odessa, although now the communities work to
1-21     diversify their economies and bring greater economic stability
 2-1     to the region; and
 2-2           WHEREAS, Present-day Midland and Odessa continue to share
 2-3     many traits; both boast large populations of community-minded
 2-4     citizens who support a variety of endeavors, from high school
 2-5     football to the fine arts; however, the cities also bear many
 2-6     distinctions; and
 2-7           WHEREAS, Odessa is home to several cultural centers, the
 2-8     Presidential Museum, the Ellen Noel Art Museum of the Permian
 2-9     Basin, and a replica of the Globe Theater, which serves as the
2-10     site for area Shakespeare productions; Odessans are also proud
2-11     to have the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center located in their
2-12     community; and
2-13           WHEREAS, Midland features the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum,
2-14     Library and Hall of Fame, the Confederate Air Force Museum, and
2-15     the Museum of the Southwest; it is also extremely proud to be
2-16     the longtime home of the newly inaugurated 43rd President of
2-17     the United States, George W. Bush; and
2-18           WHEREAS, The spirit of cooperation between Midland and Odessa
2-19     is exhibited by their joint efforts to establish the Midland
2-20     International Airport and the creation of the Midland-Odessa
2-21     Transportation Alliance (MOTRAN), which is an advocate for the
2-22     establishment of La Entrada al Pacifico trade corridor; Midland
2-23     and Odessa also promote themselves as exceptional retirement
2-24     communities through the establishment of the Midland Odessa
 3-1     Health and Retirement Endeavor (MOHRE); they also have the
 3-2     only joint postmark in Texas; and
 3-3           WHEREAS, Citizens of Midland and Odessa are spirited,
 3-4     industrious, and resilient people who have an abundance of
 3-5     civic pride; it is indeed a pleasure and a privilege for the
 3-6     Texas Senate to honor these cities and their residents; now,
 3-7     therefore, be it
 3-8           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
 3-9     77th Legislature, hereby recognize February 6, 2001, as
3-10     Midland-Odessa Day and extend best wishes to the people of
3-11     these fair cities for a most joyous event; and, be it further
3-12           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
3-13     Midland and Odessa as a memento of this special day.
3-14                                                                  Bivins
3-15                                                                  Duncan
3-16                                  ______________________________________
3-17                                          President of the Senate
3-18                                       I hereby certify that the above
3-19                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
3-20                                  on February 6, 2001.
3-21                                  ______________________________________
3-22                                          Secretary of the Senate
3-23                                  ______________________________________
3-24                                           Member, Texas Senate
3-25                                  ______________________________________
3-26                                           Member, Texas Senate