SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 110

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to join the citizens of Howard County in celebrating February 5, 2013, as Howard County Day at the State Capitol; and

WHEREAS, Situated between the Edwards Plateau and the Caprock Escarpment, Howard County is home to scenic towns like Big Spring, Coahoma, and Forsan; its history is rich with agricultural, industrial, and energy success stories; and

WHEREAS, During the late 19th century, the Howard County seat of Big Spring grew out of a settlement of buffalo hunters; the town of Coahoma developed along the Texas and Pacific Railway in the 1880s and became a trading center; Forsan was founded during the oil boom of the 1920s; and

WHEREAS, Howard County also played a significant role during World War II; it was home to the Big Spring Army Air Corps Bombardier School and trained over 5,000 men; today the Hangar 25 Air Museum and the Heritage Museum celebrate the area's past; and

WHEREAS, Big Spring's newly created historic district has spurred the renovation of several beloved sites; after 30 years of darkened halls and shuttered doors, the historic Settles Hotel has reopened; the county welcomes new forms of energy production, and the region's McMahon-Wrinkle Airport was recently expanded; and

WHEREAS, Howard County also serves the region as a hub of health care and educational institutions, among them a veterans hospital and a state mental health facility; Howard College and the Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf continue to thrive and attract students to the region; and

WHEREAS, Set on the fabled West Texas High Plains, Howard County also draws nature lovers; hikers trek the pathways of Big Spring State Park, Comanche Trail Park, and Moss Lake to take in the sweeping vistas; and

WHEREAS, This majestic landscape has deeply shaped the citizens of Howard County; they may take justifiable pride in their ongoing legacy of generosity, stewardship, and commercial and agricultural innovation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd Legislature, hereby commend the citizens of Howard County and extend to them best wishes for a memorable Howard County Day at the State Capitol; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for them as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. Seliger

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 5, 2013.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate