SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 18

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to honor the citizens of Laredo and to recognize Wednesday, January 24, 2007, 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; 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, and Laredo Community College now has two campuses; 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, 80th Legislature, hereby extend 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

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on January 24, 2007.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate