| |
| |
|
|
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. |