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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 230
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WHEREAS, Rural telecommunications professionals are |
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gathering in Austin on February 21, 2017, to celebrate their |
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important contributions to the prosperity of the Lone Star State |
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and Small and Rural Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers Day; and |
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WHEREAS, Nearly 85 percent of Texas is considered rural; |
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encompassing 142 million acres in 172 counties, rural areas in |
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Texas are home to more than 3.2 million people, the largest rural |
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population in the nation; and |
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WHEREAS, Each year, more than $200 billion of the state's |
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gross domestic product is generated by such traditionally rural |
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industries as agriculture, forestry, hunting, and oil and gas |
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production, and these enterprises require the latest in modern |
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communications technology; and |
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WHEREAS, In response to this need, 45 small and rural |
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incumbent local exchange carriers have built and continue to |
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maintain a high-quality telecommunications network that covers |
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the vast majority of the rural areas of the state, including |
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those remote regions that are most expensive to serve; and |
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WHEREAS, This state-of-the-art network provides critical |
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infrastructure for education, economic development, health care, |
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law enforcement, and border security; in addition, the Small and |
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Rural ILECs support more than 6,300 jobs and are responsible for |
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over $2.5 billion in direct and indirect economic impact; and |
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WHEREAS, These local exchange carriers play a vital role in |
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the dynamic economy of Texas in the 21st century, and they are |
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truly deserving of special recognition for their accomplishments |
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and contributions; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th |
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Legislature, hereby recognize February 21, 2017, as Small and |
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Rural Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers Day at the State Capitol |
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and extend to the visiting telecommunications professionals |
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sincere best wishes for a productive visit to Austin. |
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Perry |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on February 21, 2017. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |