SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 200
         WHEREAS, Jim Wells County Day at the State Capitol is being
  celebrated February 19, 2019, and the Texas Senate takes great
  pleasure in recognizing this region and its citizens who have
  contributed to the development of the Lone Star State; and
         WHEREAS, The area known today as Jim Wells County was
  explored in the early 1500s by Alvar Nuñez de Cabeza de Vaca and
  figures prominently in the early days of Texas; the land became a
  part of Texas after Texas gained its independence from Mexico in
  1836; there were extensive landholdings in the area by 1850, when
  early settlers to the region arrived and began to build towns;
  railroads followed soon thereafter, and in 1886, a new town
  developed where two rail lines intersected; the town of Alice was
  named for Alice King and eventually became the largest
  cattle-shipping point in the world; and
         WHEREAS, Jim Wells County was created and organized by the
  Texas Legislature on March 11, 1911, and Alice became the county
  seat; originally a part of Nueces County, the county was named
  for a prominent political figure and land developer, James B.
  Wells Jr., who was also the purchasing agent for the King
  Ranch; and
         WHEREAS, Jim Wells County is a valuable agricultural area
  that has contributed significantly to the development of the
  southwestern part of the United States; since the mid-1800s, when
  the famous Chisholm Trail passed through the county, the cattle
  industry has played a major role in the area's economy; mesquite
  brush and grasses in the western part provide ideal grazing
  conditions for livestock, and coastal plains to the east produce
  Coastal Bermuda grass and vegetables; and
         WHEREAS, The first notable oil activity in the county was
  initiated in 1936, and the first major oil producer was
  established northeast of Alice; the oil rush brought many new
  families to Jim Wells County; and
         WHEREAS, The City of Alice is situated in the geographical
  heart of South Texas in an area that has developed into a notable
  hub of international trade due to its strategic location at the
  intersection of two important highways and its proximity to
  primary United States-Mexico trade routes that connect Laredo
  and the Rio Grande Valley with the Port of Corpus Christi; and
         WHEREAS, In addition to the City of Alice, which still
  serves as the county seat, Jim Wells County is home to the Cities
  of Orange Grove, Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco, Premont, Sandia, and La
  Gloria; and
         WHEREAS, The county's economy has benefited not only from
  the oil business, ranching, cattle shipping, and cotton and grain
  production, but also from a fine public school system, a modern
  hospital, and an expanding health-related service industry; and
         WHEREAS, The history of Jim Wells County has been carefully
  preserved at the South Texas Museum, which was established in the
  former family ranch headquarters of the McGill family and has
  been designated a Texas Historical Landmark; and
         WHEREAS, The citizens of Jim Wells County are justifiably
  proud of their unique heritage and have retained the social
  fabric of their culture through fiestas, county fairs, rodeos,
  and outdoor activities such as hunting and water sports; and
         WHEREAS, Jim Wells County Day at the State Capitol is an
  appropriate occasion for the Texas Senate to recognize the
  residents of Jim Wells County and to commend them for their
  excellent accomplishments; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th
  Legislature, hereby declare February 19, 2019, Jim Wells County
  Day at the State Capitol and join the citizens of Jim Wells County
  as they celebrate their county's many assets; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
  the citizens of Jim Wells County as an expression of esteem from
  the Texas Senate.
 
  Hinojosa
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on February 19, 2019.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate