H.R. No. 312

	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, A distinguished delegation from South Texas is
	visiting Austin on February 7, 2017, to celebrate Rio Grande Valley
	Day at the State Capitol; and
	WHEREAS, Enjoying a strategic location on the Gulf of Mexico
	and along the Mexican border, the Rio Grande Valley was an important
	ranching region when Texas became the nation's 28th state in 1845;
	over time, the economy shifted from ranching to agriculture, and
	the Valley became the state's center of citrus and vegetable
	production; and
	WHEREAS, Industry flourished in the 1960s, and the region
	contributed significantly to the tremendous increase in commerce
	across the U.S.-Mexico border; with over 800,000 trucks, 11.5
	million cars, and 5.8 million pedestrians crossing its ports of
	entry, the Rio Grande Valley is a powerhouse that accounts for more
	than $1.3 billion in goods and services added to the economy of the
	Lone Star State each day; and
	WHEREAS, The Valley has over 1.5 million residents, and local
	and state officials have focused on the need to expand access to
	higher education, strengthen the workforce, and introduce
	programs, such as SpaceX, which partnered with The University of
	Texas Rio Grande Valley to create STARGATE, a program that enables
	students to be involved in all aspects of space missions;
	furthermore, in July 2016, the new UTRGV Medical School enrolled
	its first class of 55 medical students; and
	WHEREAS, The Texas A&M University System officially broke
	ground in December 2016 to expand in McAllen with a campus that will
	offer programs in engineering, technology, agriculture, and
	biomedical and lab sciences; and
	WHEREAS, The focus for today's special legislative event is
	workforce development, transportation and border infrastructure,
	UTRGV Medical School funding, the Texas A&M Healthy South Texas
	initiative, and the Rio Grande Valley border image; major sponsors
	include The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Texas A&M
	University, South Texas College, The University of Texas Rio Grande
	Valley Foundation, the Cities of McAllen, Edinburg, Harlingen, and
	Weslaco, the Starr County Industrial Foundation, the Port of
	Brownsville, Rio Grande Valley Partnership, McAllen Convention &
	Visitors Bureau, the Edinburg, Weslaco, and McAllen Chambers of
	Commerce, Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation, the
	McAllen Public Utility Board, the Economic Development
	Corporations of Edinburg, Mission, McAllen, Harlingen, Weslaco,
	and Pharr, Rio South Texas Economic Council, McAllen-Hidalgo
	International Bridge, Anzalduas International Bridge, and the Food
	Bank of the RGV; furthermore, several private sector businesses,
	such as Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP, the Warren Group
	Architects, Shepard Walton King, the Monitor, LRGVDC Regional,
	Small Cities Coalition, Texas Gas Service, BBVA Compass Bank, and
	IBC Bank, are helping to promote greater regional cooperation in
	the 21st century; and
	WHEREAS, A vibrant region with a rich heritage, the Rio
	Grande Valley is poised to take advantage of tremendous
	opportunities for continued economic development, and it is indeed
	most fitting to honor Valley residents for their dedication to
	building a bright and prosperous future for the area; now,
	therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
	Legislature hereby recognize February 7, 2017, as Rio Grande Valley
	Day at the State Capitol and extend to all participants sincere best
	wishes for an informative and enjoyable visit.
	Oliveira
	Straus Goldman Oliverson
	Allen Gonzales of Williamson Ortega
	Alonzo González of El Paso Paddie
	Alvarado Gooden Parker
	Anchia Guerra Paul
	Anderson of Dallas Guillen Perez
	Anderson of McLennan Gutierrez Phelan
	Arévalo Hefner Phillips
	Ashby Hernandez Pickett
	Bailes Herrero Price
	Bell Hinojosa Raney
	Bernal Holland Raymond
	Biedermann Howard Reynolds
	Blanco Huberty Rinaldi
	Bohac Hunter Roberts
	Bonnen of Brazoria Isaac Rodriguez of Bexar
	Bonnen of Galveston Israel Rodriguez of Travis
	Burkett Johnson of Dallas Romero, Jr.
	Burns Johnson of Harris Rose
	Burrows Kacal Sanford
	Button Keough Schaefer
	Cain King of Hemphill Schofield
	Canales King of Parker Schubert
	Capriglione King of Uvalde Shaheen
	Clardy Klick Sheffield
	Coleman Koop Shine
	Collier Krause Simmons
	Cook Kuempel Smithee
	Cortez Lambert Springer
	Cosper Landgraf Stephenson
	Craddick Lang Stickland
	Cyrier Larson Stucky
	Dale Laubenberg Swanson
	Darby Leach Thierry
	Davis of Dallas Longoria Thompson of Brazoria
	Davis of Harris Lozano Thompson of Harris
	Dean Lucio III Tinderholt
	Deshotel Martinez Turner
	Dukes Metcalf Uresti
	Dutton Meyer VanDeaver
	Elkins Miller Villalba
	Faircloth Minjarez Vo
	Fallon Moody Walle
	Farrar Morrison White
	Flynn Muñoz, Jr. Wilson
	Frank Murphy Workman
	Frullo Murr Wray
	Geren Neave Wu
	Gervin-Hawkins Nevárez Zedler
	Giddings Oliveira Zerwas
	______________________________
	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.R. No. 312 was adopted by the House on February
	7, 2017, by a non-record vote.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House