SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1005

	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to 
recognize the Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, which is expanding
into the Hispanic market in the United States with the purchase 
of Laredo National Bancshares, Incorporated; and
	WHEREAS, Laredo National Bancshares is the leading financial
services provider to the Hispanic market in the South Texas border
region and the holding company of two banks--The Laredo National 
Bank and South Texas National Bank of Laredo; Laredo National 
Bancshares will be added to Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria's 
United States division; and
	WHEREAS, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria is an established 
financial leader in Spanish-speaking countries; it is based in 
Spain and provides a full range of financial services to 35 million
customers in 37 countries; and
	WHEREAS, The border region is a prime area for the financial
company, as approximately 38 percent of the border trade between 
the United States and Mexico is done through Laredo, and Laredo 
National Bancshares has a 23 percent share in the Texas-Mexico 
border region with 110,000 customers and assets of $3.4 billion; 
and
	WHEREAS, The Texas Senate congratulates Banco Bilbao 
Vizcaya Argentaria on its expansion into Texas and is honored to 
have three of the bank's primary executives visiting the Capitol 
today:  José Ignacio Goirigolzarri, president and chief operating
officer; Vitalino Manuel Nafria Aznar, director general of BBVA 
América; and José Maria García Meyer-Dohner, chief executive 
officer of BBVA USA; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 
79th Legislature, hereby welcome Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria 
as a new corporate citizen of this state and pay tribute to 
Señor Goirigolzarri, Señor Aznar and Señor Meyer-Dohner; and, 
be it further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared as an 
expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.
                                                                       Zaffirini




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on May 24, 2005.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate