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