81R20216 MMS-D
 
  By: Gallego H.R. No. 1134
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, A number of proud West Texas citizens are gathering
  in Austin on March 31, 2009, to celebrate Hudspeth County Day at the
  State Capitol; and
         WHEREAS, Created out of El Paso County in 1917, Hudspeth
  County covers more than 4,500 square miles of the vast Chihuahuan
  Desert, and residents enjoy the area's great natural beauty,
  sweeping vistas, and friendly, close-knit communities; and
         WHEREAS, Numerous archeological sites in the county attest to
  the presence of farmers and hunter-gatherers in prehistoric times,
  and missionaries and soldiers from northern New Spain traversed the
  area as early as 1581; in 1849, John S. "Rip" Ford and Major Robert
  S. Neighbors charted a trail that would be used by many adventurers
  on their way to the California gold fields; Fort Quitman was
  established in 1858 on the Rio Grande, in the southern part of the
  present-day county, to protect travelers and mail coaches en route
  between San Antonio and El Paso; and
         WHEREAS, In 1881, the country's second transcontinental
  railroad was completed near what is now Sierra Blanca, and Jay Gould
  drove in a silver spike to mark the occasion; the town of Sierra
  Blanca quickly developed into a shipping point and commercial
  center, and when the county was organized it became the county seat;
  Dell City, in the north, and Fort Hancock, near the Rio Grande, are
  the two other largest communities; and
         WHEREAS, The economy of Hudspeth County has been based
  chiefly on ranching, farming, and mining, along with tourism and
  hunting leases; a section of the Guadalupe Mountains National Park,
  a popular destination for outdoors enthusiasts, is located within
  the county, as is part of the Sierra Diablo Wildlife Management
  Area, which is home to the largest population of free-ranging
  bighorn sheep in Texas; and
         WHEREAS, Popular annual events include the Dell Valley
  Hudspeth County Fair and Wild West Chile Fest, held jointly in Dell
  City, the Dell City Junior Livestock Show, Halloween Parade, and
  July Fourth fireworks, and the Sierra Blanca livestock show and
  Fourth of July Fair; points of interest in Sierra Blanca include the
  old railroad depot, which now houses the Hudspeth County Museum,
  and the courthouse, which is the only such structure in Texas that
  is built of adobe; and
         WHEREAS, The citizens of Hudspeth County share a deep
  appreciation for their beloved corner of the Lone Star State, and it
  is a pleasure to recognize their achievements and their public
  spirit; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
  Legislature hereby recognize March 31, 2009, as Hudspeth County Day
  at the State Capitol and extend to all those who have come to Austin
  sincere best wishes for an enjoyable and memorable visit.