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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Proud residents of Culberson County are gathering in |
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Austin to celebrate Culberson County Day at the State Capitol on |
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March 31, 2009; and |
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WHEREAS, Situated among the rugged, scenic mountains of the |
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Trans-Pecos region of West Texas, the county was originally home to |
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the fierce Mescalero Apaches; in 1859, a cavalry outpost was |
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established at the Van Horn Wells, one of the few reliable sources |
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of water in the area; the last Indian battle in the State of Texas |
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was fought in the region in 1881, at the mouth of Bass Canyon in the |
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Sierra Diablo mountains; and |
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WHEREAS, The town of Van Horn was founded in the late 1870s, |
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and in 1881 it became a stop on the Texas and Pacific Railway; and |
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WHEREAS, Formed from El Paso County in 1911, Culberson County |
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was named for Civil War veteran and former U.S. congressman David B. |
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Culberson; Van Horn, by now a prosperous shipping point for cattle, |
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became the county seat; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, tourists are drawn to the region by its |
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austere beauty and colorful history; the county is the gateway to |
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Guadalupe Mountains National Park, a haven for hikers and nature |
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lovers and home to the highest mountain in Texas, Guadalupe Peak; |
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hunters are drawn by the mule deer, pronghorn antelope, and upland |
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game birds; and |
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WHEREAS, The Culberson County Historical Museum in the |
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historic Clark Hotel in Van Horn tells the region's story through |
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displays of Indian and pioneer artifacts, and picturesque buildings |
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such as the Presbyterian Church and the former El Capitan Hotel, now |
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the Van Horn State Bank, vividly evoke the town's past; and |
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WHEREAS, Residents and visitors alike enjoy such annual |
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events as the Culberson County Stock Show in January and the Texas |
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Mountain Art Seminar, Show, and Sale in March; the Frontier Days and |
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Rodeo in June has been a Van Horn tradition for 110 years, and the |
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Old Car Festival in August draws 100 classic cars every year; and |
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WHEREAS, Blessed with great natural beauty and a rich |
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history, the people of Culberson County may indeed take great pride |
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in their unique contribution to the heritage and culture of the Lone |
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Star State; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize March 31, 2009, as Culberson County |
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Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation |
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sincere best wishes for an enjoyable and informative stay in |
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Austin. |