2009S0133-1 01/22/09

By: Duncan S.C.R. No. 6

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Many notable citizens of Lubbock are visiting Austin on January 27, 2009, to pay tribute to their city's rich heritage and to celebrate Lubbock Day in the Centennial Anniversary Year of Lubbock; and

WHEREAS, A thriving region of the state, the Lubbock area is home to one of the oldest inhabited places in Texas, where archeologists have discovered evidence of some 12,000 years of continuous habitation; known as the Lubbock Lake Landmark Site, the site is a national historic and state archeological landmark; and

WHEREAS, The City of Lubbock was incorporated almost 100 years ago, on March 16, 1909; and

WHEREAS, The railroads stimulated Lubbock's growth as a trade center, but residents also wanted the benefits that an institution of higher learning would bring; when legislation creating Texas Technological College was finally passed in 1923, the site selection committee, impressed by the enthusiasm and hospitality of Lubbock citizens, chose Lubbock for its location; and

WHEREAS, Today a city of approximately 218,000, Lubbock is home to the Texas Tech University System and its flagship institution, Texas Tech University; and

WHEREAS, Lubbock enjoys a diversified economy that draws its strength from agribusiness, manufacturing, and commerce, as well as from educational and medical facilities, boasting the largest medical infrastructure between Dallas and Phoenix; with the growth of cotton culture on the High Plains, Lubbock has become one of the world's primary centers for the processing of cottonseed and hybrid grain sorghum seed; and

WHEREAS, Lubbock also offers a wealth of cultural and recreational opportunities; among these are the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, the Lubbock Civic Ballet, the Museum and Planetarium of Texas Tech University, the Silent Wings Museum, and many other cultural offerings at Texas Tech University; and

WHEREAS, Those wanting a glimpse of the frontier can find traces of it in the many restored structures at the Ranching Heritage Center, a 15-acre site tracing the evolution of ranch architecture and the history of the cattle industry, as well as at the American Wind Power Center and the American Museum of Agriculture; and

WHEREAS, The musical talent that has come from the Lubbock area has included the likes of Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, the Maines Family, Virgil Johnson and the Velvets, Waylon Jennings, Tanya Tucker, Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and Butch Hancock and has earned Lubbock recognition as "The Music Crossroads of Texas"; and

WHEREAS, In 2008, Lubbock and the area were home to three-time National Collegiate Athletic Association championship winner in cross-country, Sally Kipyego; home to the 2008 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics softball championship team at Lubbock Christian University; home to the 2008 National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association championship South Plains College mens basketball team; home to American Football Coaches Association All-American and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner Graham Harrell, Texas Tech University's Academic-All-Big-12 quarterback who led his team to a Big 12 South Cochampionship while posting a grade point average of 4.0; home to Biletnikoff Award winner, Paul Warfield Award winner and Associated Press First-Team All American Michael Crabtree of Texas Tech University; and

WHEREAS, Lubbock's leadership in business was spotlighted on the national stage when in 2008 the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce was named the best chamber of commerce in the nation by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives, again recently as Lubbock businesswoman Beth Ashmore led the National Association of Health Underwriters as president of the board, again as Lubbock's Annette Sykora chaired the National Automobile Dealers Association, again when Lubbock-based City Bank was named one of the best places to work in the nation, and again as Lubbock's Wally Darneille led the board of the International Cotton Association as the first American ever to be elected to the board of the prestigious organization; and

WHEREAS, This outstanding record of business and industry leadership throughout Lubbock's first 100 years continued to bear fruit in 2008 with several distinctions for Lubbock, including the city being named as the second best and strongest real estate market in the nation, as the 11th best place to survive a nationwide economic downturn, and as one of the top places in the nation to do business; and

WHEREAS, Lubbock continues to foster and grow its business and community leadership for the future; among the proud Lubbock delegation visiting the Capitol today are the Leadership Lubbock Class of 2009 and the Focus Lubbock Class of 2009; and

WHEREAS, The citizens of Lubbock have truly kept faith with the founders of this West Texas community; still renowned for their friendliness and warmth, coupled with hardiness and determination, they have helped to build a vital urban center that serves not only a large part of West Texas but also eastern New Mexico; it is a pleasure for the Texas Senate to pay tribute to the City of Lubbock and its fine residents; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st Legislature, hereby recognize January 27, 2009, as Lubbock Day at the State Capitol and extend to the delegations in attendance today and to all their fellow citizens sincere appreciation for the bright luster they add to the Lone Star State.