H.R. No. 603

	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Proud residents of the Mid-Valley region of Texas
	are gathering in Austin on February 27, 2013, to celebrate
	Mid-Valley Day at the State Capitol; and
	WHEREAS, Located in eastern Hidalgo County in the Rio Grande
	Valley, the Mid-Valley region includes the towns of Alamo, Donna,
	Mercedes, Progreso, Progreso Lakes, San Juan, and Weslaco; this
	area is a center for agribusiness, with farmers producing
	sugarcane, grains, and citrus fruit such as grapefruits and
	oranges; and
	WHEREAS, The city of Alamo is located in proximity to the
	Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, which comprises more than 2,000
	acres of protected land and is home to a wide array of animals and
	plants; in addition, the town boasts a birding information center
	and the popular Alamo Central Park; and
	WHEREAS, Upholding the motto "the City with a Heart in the
	Heart of the Rio Grande Valley," Donna serves as the location of the
	Donna-Rio Bravo International Bridge, which helps to facilitate
	shopping, tourism, and commercial trade to and from Mexico; and
	WHEREAS, Mercedes has long been a major center for the
	processing and marketing of livestock, cotton, and vegetables, and
	it is also known for its boot makers and the shopping opportunities
	at the Rio Grande Valley Premium Outlets; the annual Rio Grande
	Valley Livestock Show and Rodeo draws more than 200,000 people to
	town each year, and the event provides valuable scholarship funds
	for 4-H and FFA students; and
	WHEREAS, In addition to being centers for the sugarcane
	business, Progreso and Progreso Lakes have been serving as gateways
	to the Rio Grande Valley since the opening of the Progreso/Nuevo
	Progreso International Bridge in 2003; and
	WHEREAS, Fast-growing San Juan is the home of the Basilica of
	Our Lady of San Juan del Valle National Shrine, which attracts
	multitudes of pilgrims from throughout the United States and
	Mexico; the town hosts an annual Spring Fiesta and is the site of
	numerous parks, including Liberty Park, with its flagpole monument
	that honors those who have served in the U.S. armed forces; and
	WHEREAS, The city of Weslaco has become a favorite
	destination for tourists, golfers, retirees, and birders and is the
	location of two important Texas A&M University research stations;
	the annual Onion Fest celebrates the development of the famous
	Texas 1015 onion in Weslaco, and this popular event brings many
	visitors to the city; and
	WHEREAS, Throughout the Mid-Valley region, great emphasis is
	placed on the value of education, and the Science Academy of South
	Texas in Mercedes consistently ranks among the top 100 on
	Newsweek's list of "America's Best High Schools"; and
	WHEREAS, The residents of this dynamic region of the Lone
	Star State are justifiably proud of their hard work, civic
	commitment, and innovative spirit, and their efforts have created a
	group of notable Texas communities that are well prepared to meet
	the challenges and opportunities of the future; now, therefore, be
	it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
	Legislature hereby recognize February 27, 2013, as Mid-Valley Day
	at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere
	best wishes for an informative and enjoyable stay in Austin.
	Martinez
	Canales
	Munoz, Jr.
	Guerra
	Longoria
	Straus M. Gonzalez of El Paso Oliveira
	Allen N. Gonzalez of El Paso Orr
	Alonzo Gooden Otto
	Alvarado Guerra Paddie
	Anchia Guillen Parker
	Anderson Gutierrez Patrick
	Ashby Harless Perez
	Aycock Harper-Brown Perry
	Bell Hernandez Luna Phillips
	Bohac Herrero Pickett
	Bonnen of Brazoria Hilderbran Pitts
	Bonnen of Galveston Howard Price
	Branch Huberty Raney
	Burkett Hughes Ratliff
	Burnam Hunter Raymond
	Button Isaac Reynolds
	Callegari Johnson Riddle
	Canales Kacal Ritter
	Capriglione Keffer Rodriguez of Bexar
	Carter King of Hemphill Rodriguez of Travis
	Clardy King of Parker Rose
	Coleman King of Taylor Sanford
	Collier King of Zavala Schaefer
	Cook Kleinschmidt Sheets
	Cortez Klick Sheffield of Bell
	Craddick Kolkhorst Sheffield of Coryell
	Creighton Krause Simmons
	Crownover Kuempel Simpson
	Dale Larson Smith
	Darby Laubenberg Smithee
	Davis of Dallas Lavender Springer
	J. Davis of Harris Leach Stephenson
	S. Davis of Harris Lewis Stickland
	Deshotel Longoria Strama
	Dukes Lozano Taylor
	Dutton Lucio III Thompson of Brazoria
	Eiland Marquez Thompson of Harris
	Elkins Martinez Toth
	Fallon Martinez Fischer Turner of Collin
	Farias McClendon Turner of Harris
	Farney Menendez Turner of Tarrant
	Farrar Miles Villalba
	Fletcher Miller of Comal Villarreal
	Flynn Miller of Fort Bend Vo
	Frank Moody Walle
	Frullo Morrison White
	Geren Munoz, Jr. Workman
	Giddings Murphy Wu
	Goldman Naishtat Zedler
	Gonzales Nevarez Zerwas
	______________________________
	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.R. No. 603 was adopted by the House on February
	27, 2013, by a non-record vote.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House