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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Citizens of Reeves County are celebrating Reeves |
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County Day at the State Capitol on April 15, 2009; and |
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WHEREAS, Situated on the rolling plains of far West Texas, |
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Reeves County was first inhabited by prehistoric people who lived |
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in rock shelters and caves in the Barilla Hills; the first Spanish |
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explorer visited the region in 1583, and the Madera Valley came to |
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be farmed by settlers from Mexico; Anglo-American farmers and |
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ranchers began to make their homes in the area in the 1870s, and the |
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railway arrived in 1881; the county was organized in 1884 and named |
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after Confederate colonel George R. Reeves; and |
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WHEREAS, Pecos, the county seat, began as a crossroads for |
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cattle trails and the railway, and in its early years earned a |
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colorful reputation as the site of several famous gunfights; a |
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number of cowboys challenged each other to a riding and roping |
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contest over the Fourth of July in 1883, and the town claims the |
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title as "Home of the World's First Rodeo"; the four-day West of the |
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Pecos Rodeo will celebrate its 127th year this summer; and |
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WHEREAS, Ranching and the farming of cotton, pecans, |
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pistachios, and other crops are the basis of the county's economy, |
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while the production of oil and natural gas also contributes to its |
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prosperity; thanks to alkaline soil and fine growing conditions, |
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the Pecos cantaloupe is prized across the nation for its sweetness |
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and overall flavor; and |
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WHEREAS, Reeves County is a popular destination for tourists |
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seeking to experience the history of the Old West; the West of the |
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Pecos Museum evokes the life of lawmen, ranchers, and schoolmarms |
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in 50 rooms of a historic old saloon and hotel, while the park next |
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door holds the grave of Clay Allison, the "Gentleman Gunfighter," |
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so called because "he never killed a man who didn't need killing"; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, The spring-fed pool at Balmorhea State Park is open |
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year-round, while hunters are drawn to the county by the variety of |
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game, including mule deer, javelina, and upland game birds; Toyah |
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is a popular destination for rockhounds in search of agate, quartz, |
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desert amethyst, and other rare and beautiful minerals; and |
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WHEREAS, Its rugged beauty, rich history, and vibrant |
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agricultural economy make Reeves County a truly unique region of |
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Texas, and the county's residents may indeed take great pride in |
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their heritage and continuing contributions to the Lone Star State; |
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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 April 15, 2009, as Reeves County Day |
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at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere |
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best wishes for an enjoyable and informative stay in Austin. |
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Gallego |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 1308 was adopted by the House on April |
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15, 2009, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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