78R11367 JHS-D

By:  Farabee                                                      H.R. No. 708



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Residents of Wichita Falls have traveled to Austin 
to celebrate Wichita Falls Day at the Capitol, and this occasion 
provides a fitting opportunity to recognize this fine Texas city; 
and
	WHEREAS, The history of Wichita Falls dates back to 1882 and 
is closely tied to the Fort Worth and Denver Railroad; its economy 
was initially based on agriculture and trade, but the city became a 
petroleum production and manufacturing center after Fowler No. 1 
began gushing oil in 1918; and
	WHEREAS, Wichita Falls is well known as the home of Sheppard 
Air Force Base and its 82nd Training Wing, 80th Flight Training 
Wing, and Euro-NATO Joint Jet Training Program; many of the men and 
women stationed at the base are currently taking part in Operation 
Iraqi Freedom, and nearly 60 Wichita Falls natives stationed 
world-wide are actively involved in the war effort; and
	WHEREAS, Such notable educational institutions as Midwestern 
State University (MSU) and Vernon College are located in Wichita 
Falls; MSU has enjoyed a consistent growth in enrollment, 
particularly over the past three years, and Vernon College's Skills 
Training Center is a major provider of workforce training for the 
community's various industries; and
	WHEREAS, North Texas State Hospital serves the citizens of 31 
counties, and the United Regional Health Care system provides 
medical services through more than 250 physicians in 14 counties; 
and
	WHEREAS, Visitors are no doubt drawn to the area by the 
namesake 54-foot-tall cascading waterfalls that grace the Wichita 
River, but Wichita Falls offers much more than a beautiful setting; 
it is a city of proud and patriotic people who contribute to the 
success and prosperity of the Lone Star State and the United States 
in myriad ways, and it is a privilege to pay tribute to them at this 
time; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby recognize April 8, 2003, as Wichita Falls Day at 
the Capitol and extend a warm welcome to the residents of Wichita 
Falls who are in attendance today.