1-1                                     1                                  
 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 409
 1-3           WHEREAS, On Wednesday, March 7, 2001, the proud citizens
 1-4     of Victoria will be celebrating Victoria Day at the State Capitol
 1-5     in Austin, Texas, in recognition of their illustrious city and
 1-6     its contributions to the State of Texas; and
 1-7           WHEREAS, Victoria is a town with a proud history, and its
 1-8     distinctive and colorful story was highlighted in 1824 when
 1-9     the Republic of Mexico approved Don Martin DeLeon's request
1-10     for a large land grant on the lower Guadalupe River; and
1-11           WHEREAS, A highly respected Mexican citizen,
1-12     Don Martin DeLeon received permission to establish the town of
1-13     Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe de Jesus Victoria with 41 families;
1-14     and
1-15           WHEREAS, The Main Street of the town was known then as
1-16     La Calle de los Diez Amigos, or the street of the 10 friends,
1-17     showing Don DeLeon's friendship with the principal citizens
1-18     of the new town; and
1-19           WHEREAS, After the 1836 revolution, the name of the
1-20     town became Victoria, and the town was incorporated under the
1-21     Republic of Texas in 1839; the first property taxes were assessed
 2-1     in 1843; and
 2-2           WHEREAS, Ranching was the first major enterprise in the area,
 2-3     and it brought in major capital needed for development; commercial
 2-4     ventures became successful, and by 1917, paved streets were
 2-5     becoming common; and
 2-6           WHEREAS, By the end of World War II, Victoria became one of
 2-7     the fastest-growing cities in Texas; and
 2-8           WHEREAS, The city has a symphony orchestra, a fine arts
 2-9     association, museums, libraries, and the National Zoo of Texas,
2-10     which is home to more than 200 native Texas animals and plants;
2-11     and
2-12           WHEREAS, Three major highways, railroads, and commercial
2-13     airlines make Victoria easily accessible to major businesses;
2-14     it is also located on a barge canal which is connected to the
2-15     Gulf Intracoastal Waterway; as the county seat, Victoria serves
2-16     as the commercial center of this thriving area; and
2-17           WHEREAS, The excellent public schools, the large array of
2-18     major employers, a university and community college, excellent
2-19     availability of medical care, and an expanding economy make
2-20     Victoria an inviting city; and
2-21           WHEREAS, Two ingredients that blend to appeal to all ages are
2-22     big-city convenience and small-town friendliness; Victoria is an
2-23     excellent town in which to live, work, and raise a family; and
 3-1           WHEREAS, It is indeed a pleasure and a privilege for the
 3-2     Texas Senate to honor this outstanding city and its fine citizens
 3-3     on the occasion of its day at the Capitol; now, therefore, be it
 3-4           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
 3-5     77th Legislature, hereby extend sincere congratulations
 3-6     to the citizens of Victoria, Texas, on their special day on
 3-7     March 7, 2001; and, be it further
 3-8           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
 3-9     the city and its citizenry as a memento of this momentous day.
3-10                                                              Armbrister
3-11                                  ______________________________________
3-12                                          President of the Senate
3-13                                       I hereby certify that the above
3-14                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
3-15                                  on March 7, 2001.
3-16                                  ______________________________________
3-17                                          Secretary of the Senate
3-18                                  ______________________________________
3-19                                           Member, Texas Senate