SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 324

	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased
to honor the citizens of Laredo and to recognize Tuesday,
March 8, 2005, as Laredo Legislative Day at the Capitol; and
	WHEREAS, Laredo was established in 1755 by Don Tomas Sanchez,
and its history offers a compelling tale, as the town was forged 
in the heat of battles incited by Spaniards, Indians, Mexicans, 
Texans and Americans; its location as a crossroads between 
nations has made Laredo a unique city and the site of an interesting
mix of cultures; Laredo's 250th anniversary will be celebrated 
May 15, 2005; and
	WHEREAS, Situated on the banks of the Rio Grande, Laredo is 
the largest inland port on the southern United States border; it 
is one of the top four ports-of-commerce in the nation, and in 
2004, the city handled 41 percent of all overland trade between 
the United States and Mexico; and
	WHEREAS, Education plays a vital role in the life of Laredo;
Texas A&M International University in North Laredo and the new 
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Laredo 
Extension Campus thrive with students; Laredo Community College 
has recently opened an additional campus; and
	WHEREAS, Laredo is home to the 2004 Central Hockey League 
Champions, the Laredo Bucks, and to an important tool in the 
global war on terror, the Laredo International Fire and Law 
Enforcement Training Center; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
79th Legislature, hereby congratulate the citizens of Laredo on 
the occasion of the city's upcoming 250th anniversary and extend 
to them best wishes for a celebratory Laredo Legislative Day at 
the Capitol; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 
the citizens of Laredo as a memento of this occasion.
                                                                       Zaffirini




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on March 8, 2005.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate