SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 424
         WHEREAS, On March 25, 2015, proud citizens of two historic
  West Texas counties are gathering in Austin to celebrate Ward and
  Winkler Counties Day at the State Capitol; and
 
         WHEREAS, The territory of Ward County was originally home
  to the Apache and Comanche Indians, and in 1881, the Texas and
  Pacific Railway built a line through the region, with stations at
  Barstow and Monahans; the county was created out of part of Tom
  Green County in 1887 and named for Thomas "Peg Leg" Ward, a
  soldier in the Texas Revolution who lost his leg to a cannonball;
  a center for ranching and farming in its early years, the county
  was transformed by the discovery of oil and gas in the 1920s;
  during World War II, it was the site of Pyote Army Air Field, and
  in 1957, the Monahans Sandhills State Historic Park was created
  in the county's northeast corner; and
 
         WHEREAS, Monahans, the Ward County seat, was founded in
  1880 by an Irishman named John Thomas Monahan, an employee of the
  Texas and Pacific who found water at the site, and it was
  incorporated in 1928; situated at the hub of the Permian Basin,
  the town boasts a welcoming business environment facilitated by
  easy access to two railroads and two interstate highways; today,
  the area is stronger and busier than ever, with a sharp increase
  in oil drilling and a strong commitment by city and county
  officials to upgrade the county's infrastructure and accommodate
  the growing need for housing, industry, and retail; and
 
         WHEREAS, The Anasazi were the earliest known people in the
  Winkler County area, and then in the 1880s, cattlemen established
  large ranches on free state land; Winkler County was carved out
  of Tom Green County and named after Clinton W. Winkler, a state
  legislator and judge; in 1910, the county was officially
  organized and the town of Kermit, named after Theodore
  Roosevelt's son, was chosen as county seat; the oil boom of the
  1920s brought so many people that residents lived in tents and
  makeshift shelters, and a new town, Winkler, sprang up; when the
  postal authorities advised that there was another town with that
  name, it was swiftly shortened to Wink; and
 
         WHEREAS, During the early boom years, Wink acquired a wild
  and freewheeling reputation; now, although its economy is still
  based on the petroleum industry and ranching, it is better known
  as the hometown of music legend Roy Orbison; his first band, the
  Wink Westerners, made its radio debut on Kermit station KERB, and
  the Roy Orbison Museum is today one of the town's interesting
  attractions; and
 
         WHEREAS, These two storied counties hold a notable place in
  frontier history, and through the years, their towns have
  demonstrated a unique High Plains flair; the residents of both
  counties can indeed take great pride in their colorful past as
  they look forward to a bright future; now, therefore, be it
 
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th
  Legislature, hereby recognize March 25, 2015, as Ward and Winkler
  Counties Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting
  delegations sincere best wishes for an informative and enjoyable
  visit to Austin.
 
  Perry, Seliger
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on March 25, 2015.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate