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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Proud residents of the Mission Valley area of El |
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Paso are gathering at the State Capitol on February 9, 2009, to |
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celebrate Mission Valley Day, and this event provides a fitting |
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occasion to recognize this dynamic community; and |
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WHEREAS, The oldest section of El Paso, Mission Valley was |
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settled in the late 17th century by Spaniards and members of the |
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Ysleta Pueblo tribe; its name is derived from the three Spanish |
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missions that were built in the area during the 17th and 18th |
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centuries; and |
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WHEREAS, These historic missions remain standing and still |
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function as churches today; La Mision de Nuestra Senora de Corpus |
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Christi, or Our Lady of Mount Carmel, was built in Ysleta in 1682; |
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Mision de Nuestra Senora de la Purisima Concepcion del Socorro was |
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built in Socorro in 1759, and Mision de San Elcear was built in San |
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Elizario in 1789; and |
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WHEREAS, Native Americans dwelt for centuries in this harsh |
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desert beside the Rio Grande; in 1581, members of the |
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Rodriguez-Sanchez expedition named a pass between two mountain |
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ranges El Paso del Norte, and the first permanent Spanish colony was |
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founded near present-day San Elizario by Juan de Onate in 1598; the |
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quadricentennial El Paso birthday festival was held at Cougar Park |
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in Socorro in 1998, commemorating the arrival of Don Juan de Onate |
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and his expedition on the Rio Grande in 1598; the Ysleta del Sur |
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Tigua Pueblo Native American tribe is located in Mission Valley; |
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this tribe is one of just three in Texas to have its sovereignty |
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recognized by the United States government; and |
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WHEREAS, Mission Valley provides myriad opportunities for |
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higher education through the El Paso Community College Valle Verde |
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Campus and the Mission Del Paso Campus; adding to the area's appeal |
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are cultural attractions such as the Tigua Indian Cultural Center, |
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Los Portales Museum and Information Center, Licon Dairy, and Indian |
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Cliffs Ranch; and |
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WHEREAS, This notable community has been the birthplace and |
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home to many remarkable Americans, including private investigator |
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Jay J. Armes, professional baseball player Omar Quintanilla, singer |
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Vicki Carr, author Sergio Troncoso, and county judge Alicia Chacon, |
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the first woman to serve in that capacity in a major urban county; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, The Mission Valley is a historic area that has made |
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many contributions to the rich cultural heritage of El Paso and the |
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State of Texas; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby extend a heartfelt welcome to the citizens of |
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the Mission Valley area of El Paso on the occasion of Mission Valley |
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Day at the State Capitol. |