SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 225

WHEREAS, On March 4, 2015, proud residents, businesspeople, and friends of the Richardson community are gathering at the State Capitol in Austin for Richardson/Telecom Corridor Legislative Day; and

WHEREAS, Located just north of Dallas in both Dallas and Collin Counties, the city of Richardson is home to more than 100,000 people and a high concentration of technology and telecommunications companies, as well as financial services firms and corporate headquarters; it ranks as one of the largest employment centers in North Texas and has been recognized as a major telecommunications center with global reach; and

WHEREAS, The collaboration between business and government that characterizes the region is due in large part to the committed efforts of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce, a five-star accredited United States Chamber member, the City of Richardson, and their joint initiative, the Richardson Economic Development Partnership; assistance from the state's Texas Enterprise Fund and Emerging Technology Fund has also figured significantly in local economic development projects; and

WHEREAS, Richardson has been among the most successful cities in the nation at promoting business development, having attracted such internationally renowned companies as State Farm, AT&T, Verizon, Samsung Telecommunications America, Fujitsu Network Communications, Texas Instruments, MetroPCS, Cisco, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, and Fossil; and

WHEREAS, The exceptional quality of life in Richardson contributes to making this community an especially desirable location, with highly regarded educational institutions like the nearby Malcolm Baldrige award-winning Richland College, more than 1,100 acres of parkland, and the nationally known Wildflower! arts and music festival and Cottonwood Art Festival; and

WHEREAS, Richardson is home to The University of Texas at Dallas, a dynamic public research institution that stands at the forefront of scientific, technological, and medical investigation; the school's state-of-the-art Natural Science and Engineering Research Laboratory and its highly regarded Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science help the university to draw and retain an exceptional faculty and staff; moreover, the undergraduate and graduate business programs at the Naveen Jindal School of Management have consistently ranked among the best in the United States; and

WHEREAS, The Richardson Independent School District was one of only 26 districts to earn distinction from the Texas Education Agency for postsecondary readiness, and it is one of the largest and most diverse high-performing districts in Texas; all schools meet Texas Education Agency standards, STAAR passage rates exceed the state's average in every subject, and the district employs only teachers rated "Highly Qualified" under the No Child Left Behind Act; and

WHEREAS, The Richardson Chamber of Commerce and the area's technology leaders have made Richardson's Telecom Corridor one of the showplaces of modern Texas, and Richardson residents can take great pride in their many accomplishments as they look forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th Legislature, hereby recognize March 4, 2015, as Richardson/Telecom Corridor Legislative Day and extend a warm welcome to the area business and civic leaders who are visiting the State Capitol on this day.

Taylor of Collin

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 23, 2015.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate