SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 927
         WHEREAS, September 8, 2009, marks the 160th anniversary of
  the arrival of Major Jefferson Van Horne and his expedition in El
  Paso, and this occasion provides a fitting opportunity to pay
  tribute to the founder and first commander of Fort Bliss; and
 
         WHEREAS, A native of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Major Van
  Horne was born to Dorothy Johns Marple Van Horne and General
  Isaac Van Horne, a veteran of the American Revolution; following
  the family tradition of military service, he graduated from the
  United States Military Academy at West Point in 1827, and upheld
  its motto of "Duty, Honor, Country" throughout his life; and
 
         WHEREAS, His early assignments included frontier duty at
  Jefferson Barracks in Missouri and a tour at Fort Smith,
  Arkansas; from 1846 to 1848, he served his country in the Mexican
  War, and his distinguished efforts earned him promotion to the
  rank of major; and
 
         WHEREAS, In May 1849, Major Van Horne was instructed to
  establish a military post in what is now the El Paso County area;
  he departed Camp Salado on June 1, commanding six companies of
  the Third Infantry and supporting civilians, a total of nearly
  400 men; and
 
         WHEREAS, With 275 wagons, the expedition represented the
  longest wagon train to embark westward across Texas; after 100
  days and a 643-mile overland march, Major Van Horne and his men
  reached their destination on September 8, 1849; and
 
         WHEREAS, He served at the post until 1851 and went on to
  hold positions in San Elizario, and Fort Filmore and Fort
  Stanton, New Mexico; while on leave in his hometown of
  Zanesville, Ohio, he met Mary Gilbert, and after exchanging
  romantic letters for two years, the couple were married on
  November 28, 1850; together they had one son, Lewis Cass Van
  Horne; and
 
         WHEREAS, Major Van Horne's final duty was at the Post of
  Albuquerque, where he passed away on September 28, 1857; in 1854,
  the El Paso post he founded was named after Lieutenant Colonel
  William Bliss, the private secretary, son-in-law, and chief of
  staff to President Zachary Taylor; and
 
         WHEREAS, The establishment of this important military
  facility was accomplished by virtue of Major Van Horne's
  leadership, hard work, and steadfast dedication to duty; these
  values reflected the spirit of a dynamic and burgeoning nation,
  pushing westward to establish new settlements and discover new
  opportunities for growth and prosperity; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st
  Legislature, hereby recognize September 8, 2009, as Major
  Jefferson Van Horne Remembrance Day in the State of Texas and
  commemorate the 160th anniversary of the arrival of Major Van
  Horne and his expedition in El Paso; and, be it further
 
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
  prepared for Major General Howard B. Bromberg, commander of Fort
  Bliss and the Army Air Defense Artillery Center and School, as an
  expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.
 
  Shapleigh
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on May 15, 2009.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate