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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Proud residents of the Mid-Valley region of Texas |
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are gathering in Austin on March 11, 2009, to celebrate Mid-Valley |
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Day at the State Capitol; and |
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WHEREAS, Located in the Rio Grande Valley, the Mid-Valley |
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region includes the towns of Alamo, Donna, Mercedes, Progreso, |
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Progreso Lakes, San Juan, and Weslaco; this area is a center for |
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agribusiness, with farmers producing sugarcane, grains, and citrus |
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fruit such as grapefruits and oranges; and |
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WHEREAS, The city of Alamo has been undertaking a |
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far-reaching revitalization plan that has resulted in the |
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construction of a new city hall, public library, and public works |
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center; in addition, the town is making significant improvements to |
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its infrastructure and fire department and police facilities; and |
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WHEREAS, Upholding the motto "the City with a Heart in the |
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Heart of the Rio Grande Valley," Donna looks forward to the |
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completion of the Donna International Bridge to Mexico; the |
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eight-lane bridge is expected to bolster the city's economy because |
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of the increased number of shoppers and tourists to and from Mexico; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Mercedes has long been a major center for the |
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processing and marketing of livestock, cotton, and vegetables, and |
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it is also known for its boot makers and the shopping opportunities |
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at the Rio Grande Valley Premium Outlets; the annual Rio Grande |
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Valley Livestock Show and Rodeo draws more than 200,000 people to |
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town each year, and the event provides valuable scholarship funds |
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for 4-H and FFA students; and |
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WHEREAS, In addition to being centers for the sugarcane |
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business, Progreso and Progreso Lakes have been serving as gateways |
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to the Rio Grande Valley since the opening of the Progreso/Nuevo |
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Progreso International Bridge in 2003; and |
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WHEREAS, Fast-growing San Juan is the home of the Virgen de |
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San Juan del Valle Shrine, which attracts multitudes of pilgrims |
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from throughout the United States and Mexico, and the town has also |
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installed a landmark flagpole that pays tribute to the men and women |
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who have served in the nation's armed forces; and |
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WHEREAS, The city of Weslaco has become a favorite |
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destination for tourists, golfers, retirees, and birders and is the |
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location of two important Texas A&M University research stations; |
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the annual Onion Fest celebrates the development of the famous |
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Texas 1015 onion in Weslaco, and this popular event brings many |
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visitors to the city; and |
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WHEREAS, Throughout the Mid-Valley region, great emphasis is |
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placed on the value of education, and one particularly striking |
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example of the Mid-Valley's educational achievements came in |
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December 2008, when U.S. News & World Report ranked the Science |
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Academy of South Texas in Mercedes among the nation's top 100 high |
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schools; and |
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WHEREAS, The residents of this dynamic region of the Lone |
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Star State are justifiably proud of their hard work, civic |
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commitment, and innovative spirit, and their efforts have created a |
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group of notable Texas communities that are well prepared to meet |
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the challenges and opportunities of the future; now, therefore, be |
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it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize March 11, 2009, as Mid-Valley Day at |
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the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation best wishes |
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for an informative and enjoyable stay in Austin. |