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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Proud residents of Pecos County are coming together |
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in Austin to observe Pecos County Day at the State Capitol; and |
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WHEREAS, A region characterized by desert brushland, stately |
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mesas, and arroyos, Pecos County was formally established in 1871 |
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by the Texas Legislature and named for the Pecos River that flows |
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along the county's northern boundary; the area's history of |
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settlement dates back as early as 1300 A.D., and later inhabitants |
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traveled by way of the Comanche Trail, a major thoroughfare that |
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once crossed Pecos County; moreover, traders on the Chihuahua |
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expedition of 1840 also passed through the area; and |
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WHEREAS, The county seat of Fort Stockton derives its name |
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from the area's first permanent settlement, an army outpost |
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installed in 1859 to guard the postal route; with its favorable |
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proximity to Comanche Springs, Fort Stockton developed into a |
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supply center for the military, mail carriers, wagon trains, and |
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travelers and was the site of one of the first modern attempts at |
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irrigation farming in Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, Construction of the Kansas City, Mexico and Orient |
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Railway Company of Texas in 1913 contributed to the economy, and |
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irrigation projects also attracted land buyers, spurring the |
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creation of communities like Baldridge, Girvin, Imperial, |
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Chancellor, Belding, and Buena Vista; and |
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WHEREAS, The discovery of oil at Yates Field in 1927 opened |
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what would become one of the largest oil fields in the country, and |
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the county subsequently experienced an oil boom that gave rise to |
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the towns of Red Barn, Iraan, and Bakersfield; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, petroleum continues to be the foundation of |
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the county's economy, while the area produces cantaloupes, carrots, |
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bell peppers, peaches, and pecans, and livestock raised include |
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cattle, sheep, and Angora goats; and |
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WHEREAS, An array of cultural events that attract residents |
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of Fort Stockton and its neighboring communities include the Pecos |
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County Livestock Show, the summer Water Carnival, and various |
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rodeos, cook-offs, community theater productions, country and folk |
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music concerts, and holiday celebrations that span the calendar |
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year; the county is also visited by tourists who come through Fort |
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Stockton on trips to Big Bend National Park; and |
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WHEREAS, Pecos County is a unique and fascinating part of the |
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Lone Star State, and it is most fitting to take this opportunity to |
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honor its citizens for working to preserve their colorful past |
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while they build an even brighter future for the region they call |
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home; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize Pecos County Day at the State Capitol |
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and extend to the visiting delegation best wishes for a meaningful |
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and memorable stay in Austin. |