| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, February 10, 2023, marks the 175th anniversary of |
|
|
the founding of Starr County; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Located in South Texas along the Rio Grande and the |
|
|
U.S. border with Mexico, Starr County was visited by Spanish |
|
|
explorers in the 17th century, but it was not until 1749 that the |
|
|
Spanish crown issued land grants to settle the region; in 1763, the |
|
|
first settlement was made by Francisco de la Garza Martinéz, who |
|
|
founded Rancho Carnestolendas; another early settlement was |
|
|
established later that year by the Saenz family; by 1850, Los Saenz |
|
|
had been renamed Roma-Los Saenz and was a thriving community with an |
|
|
economy based on cattle and sheep ranching; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, For a time following the Texas Revolution, both |
|
|
Mexico and the Republic of Texas laid claim to the area, which |
|
|
became part of Nueces County after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo |
|
|
ended the Mexican War in 1848; that year, the county was organized |
|
|
and named for James Harper Starr; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Rio Grande City, the county seat, is located in the |
|
|
heart of Los Caminos del Rio Heritage Corridor, which contains |
|
|
numerous architectural and historical treasures from the 18th and |
|
|
19th centuries; Roma, the second largest city in the county, is one |
|
|
of the best remaining Spanish colonial townsites in the lower Rio |
|
|
Grande Valley; the city was designated as a national historic |
|
|
district and was used in the filming of Viva Zapata, starring Marlon |
|
|
Brando; other notable towns include Escobares and La Grulla; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Residents and visitors alike benefit from the |
|
|
recreational opportunities afforded by Las Palomas State Wildlife |
|
|
Management Area and Falcon International Reservoir as well as |
|
|
year-round hunting; in addition, the county hosts a number of |
|
|
annual events, including the Starr County Fair and the Fourth of |
|
|
July Parade and Festival, held in Rio Grande City; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, The people of Starr County share a rich and colorful |
|
|
heritage, and they may indeed take great pride in their home as they |
|
|
celebrate this milestone anniversary; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
|
|
Legislature hereby commemorate the 175th anniversary of Starr |
|
|
County and extend to its citizens sincere best wishes for the |
|
|
future. |
| |
|
|
Guillen |
|
|
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
|
Speaker of the House |
| |
|
|
I certify that H.R. No. 203 was adopted by the House on March |
|
|
7, 2023, by a non-record vote. |
|
|
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
|
Chief Clerk of the House |
| |