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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 410
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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 |
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Mid-Valley 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 |
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citrus 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 |
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to its infrastructure and fire department and police facilities; |
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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 |
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because of the increased number of shoppers and tourists |
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traveling to and from Mexico; 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, |
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and it is also known for its boot makers and the shopping |
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opportunities at the Rio Grande Valley Premium Outlets; the |
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annual Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show and Rodeo draws more than |
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200,000 people to town each year, and the event provides valuable |
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scholarship funds for 4-H and Future Farmers of America students; |
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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 |
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gateways to the Rio Grande Valley since the opening of the |
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Progreso-Nuevo 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 |
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also installed a landmark flagpole that pays tribute to the men |
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and women 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 |
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the location of two important Texas A&M University research |
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stations; the annual Onion Fest celebrates the development of the |
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famous Texas 1015 onion in Weslaco, and this popular event brings |
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many visitors to the city; and |
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WHEREAS, Throughout the Mid-Valley region, great emphasis |
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is placed on the value of education, and one particularly |
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striking example of the Mid-Valley's educational achievements |
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came in December of 2008, when U.S. News & World Report ranked the |
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Science Academy of South Texas in Mercedes among the nation's top |
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100 high 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 |
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created a group of notable Texas communities that are well |
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prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st |
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Legislature, hereby recognize March 11, 2009, as Mid-Valley Day |
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at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation best |
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wishes for an informative and enjoyable stay in Austin. |
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Lucio |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on March 11, 2009. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |