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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 103
WHEREAS, Many proud South Texas citizens are visiting the
State Capitol on February 9, 2005, to celebrate the history and
numerous attractions of Jim Wells County; and
WHEREAS, The county was created out of Nueces County in
1911 and was named for James B. Wells, Jr., an attorney and
prominent South Texas political figure; Alice, the county seat,
traces its roots to a railroad depot called Bandana, which was
established in 1883 at the junction of two railroads; other
communities in the county include Ben Bolt, Orange Grove,
Premont, Rancho Alegre, Sandia, and part of San Diego; and
WHEREAS, Raising livestock has constituted a mainstay of
the area's economy since Texas formed part of the Spanish Empire;
for a time in the late 1800s, Alice served as the world's largest
shipping point for cattle, and in the 20th century the Beefmaster,
a cattle breed designed to thrive in the challenging South Texas
environment, was developed in Jim Wells County; and
WHEREAS, Other significant sectors of the economy include
farming, which developed on a large scale after 1910, and the
petroleum and natural gas industry, which burgeoned after the
discovery of oil in the county in 1931; and
WHEREAS, Jim Wells County is poised for substantial
economic growth as a result of its location within the Interstate 69
International Trade Corridor, which links the United States with
its two largest trading partners, Canada and Mexico; one component
of this corridor, U.S. Highway 281, traverses Jim Wells County
from north to south, while State Highway 44 crosses the county
from east to west, connecting Corpus Christi to Laredo via
U.S. Highway 59; this U.S. Highway 59-State Highway 44 segment
forms part of the Texas Trunk System and was designated by state
officials in 1998 as one of 10 Phase I High Priority Corridors; and
WHEREAS, In addition to an expanding economy, residents
enjoy an array of recreational opportunities, ranging from
wildflower tours, to rodeos, to Fiesta Bandana; cultural
resources include the South Texas Museum and the Tejano
R.O.O.T.S. Hall of Fame Museum, which has just hosted the first
Tejano Musician Reunion; and
WHEREAS, Two outstanding hospitals, Christus Spohn
Hospital Alice, which opened in 1999, and Alice Regional
Hospital, which opened in 1931 and recently completed a new
$40 million facility, have made the county seat an important
regional medical center; and
WHEREAS, The productive and forward-looking citizens
of Jim Wells County are building on a sturdy foundation of
progressive development, and it is a pleasure to recognize
their industry, their achievements, and their public spirit;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
79th Legislature, hereby recognize February 9, 2005, as
Jim Wells County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the
delegation here today sincere best wishes for an enjoyable and
memorable visit; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in
honor of the citizens of Jim Wells County.
Hinojosa
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 9, 2005.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate