H.R. No. 2225

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Southwest Airlines has provided service at Midland International Airport for 30 years, and on May 16, 2007, employees and supporters are gathering to commemorate this significant milestone; and

WHEREAS, Founded by Rollin King and Herb Kelleher, Southwest Airlines began in 1971 as a regional airline serving the three largest cities in Texas: Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio; six years and five million passengers later, it was on its way to covering every area of the state with routes to Austin, Corpus Christi, El Paso, Lubbock, and Midland/Odessa, which was the airline's seventh added destination; and

WHEREAS, In the three decades since then, the Midland International Airport has expanded to include three Southwest gates that operate 13 daily nonstop flights to six cities and direct or connecting service to another 41 locations; moreover, Southwest employs more than 50 people on its Midland ground staff; and

WHEREAS, Southwest Airlines has vitally contributed to the economic prosperity of Midland/Odessa and the Lone Star State, while providing exceptional service to residents throughout the United States, and it is a source of great pride to this region and state; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Southwest Airlines on its 30th anniversary of service at Midland International Airport and extend sincere best wishes for continued success to the many individuals associated with this outstanding operation; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Southwest Airlines as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. West

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 2225 was adopted by the House on May 18, 2007, by a non-record vote.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House