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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Residents of neighboring communities Harlingen and |
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San Benito are gathering in Austin on February 11, 2015, to |
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celebrate Harlingen-San Benito Day at the State Capitol; and |
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WHEREAS, From the moment in 1904 when Lon C. Hill placed his |
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proposed town site astride the tracks of the St. Louis, |
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Brownsville, and Mexico Railway, Harlingen was destined to become a |
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crossroads; the first train passed through the rugged settlement |
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that railroad workers called "Rattlesnake Junction" on July 4, |
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1904; and |
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WHEREAS, San Benito, which has benefited from the leadership |
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of such pioneers as Colonel Sam Robertson, has contributed to the |
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economic rise of Cameron County and the Rio Grande Valley through |
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the establishment of an expansive irrigation system and a |
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significant railroad system; and |
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WHEREAS, Harlingen's World War II army air field evolved into |
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Harlingen Air Force Base and then Valley International Airport, the |
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largest airport in the Rio Grande Valley; additionally, Harlingen's |
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Free Trade Bridge gives access to Mexico, and its barge port |
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connects to the Intracoastal Waterway; and |
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WHEREAS, San Benito has been home to a number of Texas |
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legends, including Olympic medalist Bobby Morrow and music star |
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Freddy Fender; the city also has a proud tradition of military |
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service; native sons and daughters have served in every U.S. |
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conflict, and during World War II, the municipal airport was used |
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for reconnaissance of the Gulf of Mexico; and |
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WHEREAS, The semitropical climate, natural resources, and |
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friendly people have long made Harlingen and San Benito |
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destinations for travelers, including Winter Texans, birders, and |
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other outdoor enthusiasts; today the Iwo Jima Memorial, the |
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historical downtown district with its mural and heritage trails, |
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and an abundance of sports fields and parks have expanded |
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Harlingen's list of attractions; and |
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WHEREAS, San Benito promotes, preserves, and supports |
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cultural arts and programs to generate tourism to Texas through |
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such outstanding organizations as the Texas Conjunto Music Hall of |
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Fame Museum, the San Benito Historical Museum, the Freddy Fender |
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Museum, and the Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center; and |
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WHEREAS, The caring hearts of Harlingen and San Benito |
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residents have spurred the community's development into a regional |
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health care hub with assets including Valley Baptist Health System, |
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Harlingen Medical Center, and Muniz Rio Grande Pharmacy; and |
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WHEREAS, Residents of both cities have long understood |
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education as a key to the future and have supported efforts to |
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expand public and private schools, including remarkable assets such |
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as Texas State Technical College and the Regional Academic Health |
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Center, which has played an important role in medical services and |
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education across the Valley since 1999; and |
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WHEREAS, Together, Harlingen and San Benito create a dynamic |
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community that more than 100,000 people are proud to call home; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize February 11, 2015, as Harlingen-San |
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Benito Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting |
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delegation sincere best wishes for an enjoyable and memorable |
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visit. |