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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Telecommunications professionals representing |
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small rural providers are gathering in Austin on February 19, 2019, |
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to celebrate their important contributions to the prosperity of the |
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Lone Star State; 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, these areas are |
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home to more than 3.2 million people, the largest rural population |
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in the United States; 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 depend upon the latest modern |
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communications technology; and |
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WHEREAS, In response to the need of these industries and |
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their communities, 44 small and rural incumbent local exchange |
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carriers are bringing a high-quality telecommunications network to |
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the vast rural expanse of the state, including remote regions that |
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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, these carriers |
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support more than 6,300 jobs and are responsible for a direct and |
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indirect economic impact of over $2.5 billion; and |
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WHEREAS, Small and rural incumbent local exchange carriers |
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play a vital role in the dynamic 21st-century Texas economy, and |
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they are truly deserving of special recognition for their |
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accomplishments and contributions; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize February 19, 2019, as Small and Rural |
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Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers Day at the State Capitol and |
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extend to the visiting telecommunications professionals sincere |
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best wishes for their stay in Austin. |
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Anderson |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 304 was adopted by the House on |
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February 19, 2019, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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