SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 219

WHEREAS, The Texas Senate is pleased to recognize February 19, 2019, as El Paso Day at the State Capitol; and

WHEREAS, El Paso is a vibrant, bilingual, and bicultural community that is moving forward with growing cultural and fine arts offerings, exemplary educational institutions, and many historical resources and museums; and

WHEREAS, The City of El Paso was recently recognized as an All-America City for its outstanding civic accomplishments and for demonstrating continued innovation, inclusiveness, civic engagement, and cross-sector collaboration; and

WHEREAS, El Paso is consistently rated as one of the safest cities in the country; that marker of excellence is a testament to the city's top-tier law enforcement elements and its safety-focused and engaged community; and

WHEREAS, El Paso is home to The University of Texas at El Paso, which was recently ranked as a top-tier Research One Doctoral University by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education for its very high research activity; and

WHEREAS, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso became a standalone health sciences center in 2013, making it the fourth and newest member of the Texas Tech University System; the center is composed of the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, the Gayle Greve Hunt School of Nursing, and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; headed by Dr. Richard Lange, the university enrolls more than 1,000 students, is home to the first medical school on the nation's southern border, and conducts important research focused on cancer, infectious diseases, diabetes and metabolic disorders, and the neurosciences, and it will soon add the Woody L. Hunt School of Dental Medicine, which will improve access to critical dental care for West Texans; and

WHEREAS, The United States Army post Fort Bliss has undergone the most extensive transformation in its 171-year history; there has been a 300-percent increase in its population since 2005 and an investment of $6 billion in construction for new, top-of-the-line facilities for the incoming personnel and their families; this installation is at the forefront of the army's transformation plan and has transitioned from a training post to a forces command post and home of the 1st Armored Division, "America's Tank Division"; and

WHEREAS, El Paso Day at the State Capitol provides an opportunity for friends and families to honor El Paso and its rich heritage, which today is enjoyed by residents and vacationers of all ages; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th Legislature, hereby recognize February 19, 2019, as El Paso Day at the State Capitol and join the citizens of this historic and vibrant region in paying tribute to this wonderful city; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared as a memento of this special occasion.

Rodríguez

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 19, 2019.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate