SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 216
         WHEREAS, Telecommunications professionals from small and
  rural telecommunications providers across the state are
  gathering in Austin on February 19, 2019, to celebrate their
  important contributions to the prosperity of the Lone Star State
  and the state's goal of universal telecommunications services
  throughout the state; and
         WHEREAS, Nearly 85 percent of Texas is considered rural;
  rural areas in Texas encompass 142 million acres in 172 counties,
  and are home to more than 3.2 million people, the largest rural
  population in the nation; and
         WHEREAS, Each year, more than $200 billion of the Texas
  gross domestic product is generated by such traditionally rural
  industries as agriculture, forestry, hunting, and oil and gas
  production, and these enterprises require and depend on the
  latest in modern communications technology; and
         WHEREAS, In response to the needs of these industries and
  their communities, 44 of the small and rural incumbent local
  exchange carriers of Texas, also known as small and rural ILECs,
  are bringing a high-quality telecommunications network to the
  vast rural expanse of the state, including remote regions that
  are most expensive to serve; and
         WHEREAS, This state-of-the-art network provides critical
  infrastructure for education, economic development, health care,
  law enforcement, and border security; and
         WHEREAS, In addition, the small and rural ILECs support
  more than 6,300 jobs and are responsible for over $2.5 billion in
  direct and indirect economic impact to Texas; and
         WHEREAS, These incumbent local exchange carriers play a
  vital role in the dynamic economy of Texas in the 21st century,
  and they are truly deserving of special recognition for their
  accomplishments and contributions; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th
  Legislature, hereby recognize February 19, 2019, as Small and
  Rural Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers Day at the State Capitol
  and extend to the visiting telecommunications professionals
  sincere best wishes for a memorable and productive visit to Austin.
 
  Perry
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        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