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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Kelly Field, an asset shared by Port San Antonio and |
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the U.S. Air Force, is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2017, |
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and this is a fitting opportunity to recognize its importance to the |
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history and prosperity of San Antonio and the Lone Star State; and |
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WHEREAS, Kelly Field was established by the U.S. Army Signal |
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Corps in 1917 as one of the world's first military airfields; |
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throughout the 1920s, such celebrated pilots as Charles Lindbergh |
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and Major General Claire Chennault trained there, and during World |
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War II, nearly 7,000 pilots received their flight training at the |
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facility; in 1948, it became Kelly Air Force Base, and throughout |
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the Cold War and the Vietnam War, it provided vital support to such |
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crucial aircraft as the B-52 strategic bomber, the F-5 and F-100 |
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fighter planes, and the C-54 Skymaster, used in the Berlin Airlift; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Long a key economic driver in the area, Kelly Field |
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was transformed in 2001 into Port San Antonio, a master-planned |
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aerospace and industrial complex that employs 12,000 workers and |
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contributes over $5 billion annually to the local economy; the |
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port's 1,900 acres include an industrial airport with the region's |
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longest runway, the 350-acre East Kelly Railport, and 10 million |
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square feet of hangars, workshops, warehouses, and offices; and |
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WHEREAS, The port's more than 70 public and private sector |
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tenants include such giants as Boeing and Lockheed Martin as well as |
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a number of advanced manufacturing firms; the facility is also home |
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to the national headquarters of the 24th Air Force, also known as |
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the Cyber Command, which is the hub for a growing number of private |
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cybersecurity firms at the port; and |
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WHEREAS, Over the course of the past century, Kelly Field and |
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Port San Antonio have played a vital role in the history of aviation |
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and in the defense of our nation; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the 100th anniversary of Kelly Field |
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and Port San Antonio and extend to the port's board of directors, |
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management, staff, customers, and partners, including the U.S. Air |
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Force, sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Port San Antonio as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |