SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 169

WHEREAS, Residents of the city of McAllen are gathering at the State Capitol on February 6, 2007, to celebrate their community's contributions to the vitality of the Lone Star State; and

WHEREAS, The development of present-day McAllen began in 1797 when Spanish settler Jose Manuel Gomez founded the Santa Anita Ranch in southern Hidalgo County; the ranch grew in size and after passing through the hands of several heirs, was inherited by his great-granddaughter, Salome Balli; Salome married John McAllen, and together they continued to add to the property and renamed it McAllen Ranch; and

WHEREAS, In 1904, Mr. McAllen and other early settlers established a town site called West McAllen, and a year later, the St. Louis, Brownsville, and Mexico Railroad arrived; other developers founded East McAllen in 1907, and the two towns eventually merged and became home to several businesses, churches, residences, and a newspaper; by 1920, the city's population exceeded 5,000 residents and was continuing to grow; and

WHEREAS, Over the last three decades, McAllen has grown into a center for business, commerce, and government in the Rio Grande Valley, and according to the 2000 census, it is one of the fastest growing metropolitan statistical areas in the country; in 2001, McAllen was voted the 25th best place to do business in the United States by Forbes Magazine and it was named number one in mid-size cities for growth and development in the South by Southern Business Magazine; and

WHEREAS, The unique landscape of the Rio Grande Valley offers rich soil for farming and a hospitable environment for cultivating citrus fruits, cotton, sugarcane, and many other crops and vegetables; various ecosystems also nurture many unusual flora and fauna specific to the region; and

WHEREAS, A center of cultural attractions, McAllen is home to the International Museum of Art and Science, which serves as a showcase for traveling exhibitors, loaned works from the Smithsonian Institution, and an extensive collection of Latin American folk art; tourists and residents alike enjoy festive annual events, such as the Candlelight Posada, the Fourth of July Fajita Cook-off, the Texas Citrus Fiesta, Springfest, Borderfest, and the Texas Square Dance Jamboree; and

WHEREAS, The citizens of McAllen are justifiably proud of their city, which has played a significant role in the annals of Texas history, and it is a pleasure to pay tribute to them on this special day; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 80th Legislature, hereby recognize February 6, 2007, as McAllen Day at the State Capitol and extend to all McAllen residents who are present on this day sincere best wishes for a memorable visit to Austin; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in honor of this occasion. Hinojosa

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 7, 2007.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate