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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Proud residents of Harlingen and San Benito are |
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gathering in Austin on March 8, 2017, to celebrate Harlingen-San |
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Benito Day at the State Capitol; and |
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WHEREAS, From the time in 1904 when Lon C. Hill chose a site |
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alongside the St. Louis, Brownsville, and Mexico Railway as the |
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location for a new town, Harlingen was destined to become a |
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crossroads of commerce; transportation kept pace as the city |
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developed, and today residents and businesses benefit from its |
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proximity to the Free Trade International Bridge at Los Indios, and |
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the Port of Harlingen provides access to the Intracoastal Waterway; |
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additionally, the city's World War II airfield has developed into |
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the region's largest airport, Valley International; and |
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WHEREAS, The area's climate and abundant natural resources |
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have made Harlingen a popular destination for numerous travelers, |
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including winter Texans, birders, and outdoor enthusiasts; |
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attractions include the Iwo Jima memorial, the historic downtown |
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district, and a variety of parks and sports facilities; and |
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WHEREAS, Through the creation of an expansive irrigation |
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system and a significant network of railroads, the nearby city of |
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San Benito developed its early economy as a shipping center for |
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citrus and vegetables from the lower Rio Grande Valley; today, the |
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city enjoys easy access to the border, a robust industrial park, and |
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a growing tourist industry; and |
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WHEREAS, San Benito has helped to promote, preserve, and |
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support a number of important cultural institutions, and the city |
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is home to the Texas Conjunto Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the San |
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Benito History Museum, the Freddy Fender Museum, and the Narciso |
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Martinez Cultural Arts Center; and |
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WHEREAS, Harlingen and San Benito have become a regional |
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health care hub, with the Valley Baptist Health System, the |
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Harlingen Medical Center, and the Su Clinica Familiar; residents of |
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both cities also benefit from the educational opportunities |
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presented by Texas State Technical College and the Regional |
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Academic Health Center; and |
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WHEREAS, The people of Harlingen and San Benito may take |
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great pride in their achievements as they work together to build a |
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bright future, and it is indeed fitting to honor them for their |
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contributions to the story of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, |
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be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize March 8, 2017, as Harlingen-San Benito |
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Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation |
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sincere best wishes for an informative and enjoyable stay in |
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Austin. |