SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 517

WHEREAS, Proud residents of Culberson County are gathering in Austin to celebrate Culberson County Day at the State Capitol on March 27, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Situated among the rugged, scenic mountains of the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas, the county was originally home to the fierce Mescalero Apaches; in 1859, a cavalry outpost was established at the Van Horn Wells, one of the few reliable sources of water in the area; the last Indian battle in the State of Texas was fought in the region in 1881, at the mouth of Bass Canyon in the Sierra Diablo mountains; and

WHEREAS, The town of Van Horn was founded in the late 1870s, and in 1881 it became a stop on the Texas and Pacific Railway; and

WHEREAS, Formed from El Paso County in 1911, Culberson County was named for Civil War veteran and former U.S. congressman David B. Culberson; Van Horn, by now a prosperous shipping point for cattle, became the county seat; and

WHEREAS, Today, tourists are drawn to the region by its austere beauty and colorful history; the county is the gateway to Guadalupe Mountains National Park, a haven for hikers and nature lovers and home to the highest mountain in Texas, Guadalupe Peak; hunters are drawn by the mule deer, pronghorn antelope, and upland game birds; and

WHEREAS, The Culberson County Historical Museum in the historic Clark Hotel in Van Horn tells the region's story through displays of Indian and pioneer artifacts, and picturesque buildings such as the First Presbyterian Church and the recently renovated Hotel El Capitan vividly evoke the town's past; and

WHEREAS, Residents and visitors alike enjoy such annual events as the Culberson County Stock Show in January and the Frontier Days and Rodeo in June; the Old Car Festival in August draws 100 classic cars every year; and

WHEREAS, Blessed with great natural beauty and a rich history, the people of Culberson County may indeed take great pride in their unique contribution to the heritage and culture of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd Legislature, hereby recognize March 27, 2013, as Culberson County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere best wishes for an enjoyable and informative stay in Austin. Rodriguez

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 27, 2013.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate