SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 145

WHEREAS, Proud residents of Midland and Odessa are gathering in Austin from February 6 to 8, 2023, to celebrate Midland-Odessa Days at the State Capitol; and

WHEREAS, Set only 20 miles apart in the ranching and oil country of West Texas, these vibrant Texas cities got their start as stops on the Texas and Pacific Railway in the 1880s; by 1890, Midland was one of the most important centers for shipping cattle in Texas; and

WHEREAS, Odessa began its rapid growth with the discovery of oil in the Permian Basin in the 1920s, and by 1929, Midland was home to 36 oil companies; today, Midland continues to be the financial and administrative capital of the Permian Basin, while Odessa remains the center for the region's oil processing and distribution; and

WHEREAS, Midland and Odessa are the primary cities located in the Permian Basin, which is one of the largest oil producing regions in the world and accounts for 40 percent of production in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Odessa and Midland boast many fine historical and cultural attractions; in Odessa, the Presidential Archives and Leadership Library is the only museum in the nation dedicated to the history of the office of the presidency; the families of both Bush presidents have called Midland and Odessa home, and the archive features a restored house where the Bush family once resided; and

WHEREAS, The Ellen Noël Art Museum, one of only two Smithsonian affiliates in Texas, features world-class exhibits year-round, and the Parker House Museum evokes the life of a prominent Texas ranching family; the Haley Memorial Library & History Center houses the first bell to hang in the Alamo and vast resources of oral and written archives about the cowboy and the American Southwest; and

WHEREAS, Situated between Midland and Odessa is the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center, a state-of-the-art facility boasting a total of 2,000 seats between its theater and recital hall, which brings in myriad shows to impress a variety of audiences; and

WHEREAS, Visitors and residents alike enjoy the Stonehenge replica on The University of Texas of the Permian Basin campus, as well as live productions at the replica of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre on the campus of Odessa College; furthermore, the Midland Festival Ballet, the West Texas Symphony, and the award-winning Midland Community Theatre offer live performances that inspire and entertain; and

WHEREAS, The 99-acre I-20 Wildlife Preserve Jenna Welch Nature Study Center and the 49-acre Sibley Nature Center celebrate the nature and history of the Permian Basin while showcasing the beauty and wildlife of the region; Odessa is host to the Spire, a 1950s mid-century architecture sign that was refurbished in 2019 and is the tallest lighted public art structure in Texas; and

WHEREAS, The White-Pool House is the first residential home in Odessa and proudly displays items from both the White and Pool families; also located in Odessa and enjoyed by more than 10,000 visitors every year is the nation's second-largest meteor crater and its adjoining museum; and

WHEREAS, Midland's Museum of the Southwest offers displays of the art and archaeology of the American Southwest, as well as the winning Kentucky Derby history of one of Midland's prominent families; the interactive exhibits in the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum present the geology and history of oil while helping inspire entrepreneurs of the future; and

WHEREAS, Odessa features the Chris Kyle Memorial Plaza, which honors the former Navy SEAL who was born in Odessa, and which pays tribute to the past, current, and future veterans who have served our country so unselfishly; the Midland Army Air Field Museum preserves the history of the largest bombardier training school during World War II and also highlights the contributions that West Texans made to the war effort; and

WHEREAS, For more than a century, the dynamic cities of Midland and Odessa have been at the economic and cultural hub of West Texas, and their citizens continue to celebrate their rich history as they work hard to build a prosperous future; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th Legislature, hereby recognize February 6-8, 2023, as Midland-Odessa Days at the State Capitol and extend a warm welcome to the visiting delegation.

Sparks

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 8, 2023.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate