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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Proud residents of Laredo are gathering in Austin to |
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celebrate Laredo Day at the State Capitol on February 4, 2025; and |
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WHEREAS, Originally known as San Agustín de Laredo, the city |
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was founded in 1755 as an outpost of the Spanish empire; it later |
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belonged to Mexico, after that country gained independence from |
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Spain in 1821, and nearly two decades later it was named the capital |
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of the short-lived Republic of the Rio Grande; Laredo became part of |
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Texas in 1846 and was subsequently chosen as the Webb County seat; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, From its earliest days, Laredo was an important |
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crossing on the Rio Grande and a trading center for livestock, |
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hides, and wool; its role in international trade expanded with the |
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arrival of the railroad in 1881 and the development of the Zona |
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Libre, or free trade zone, along the border between the United |
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States and Mexico; its economy was also bolstered by coal mining, |
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onion farming, and the discovery of rich oil and gas fields; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, this bustling gateway city is the largest |
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inland port along the U.S.-Mexico border and one of the top |
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U.S. Customs districts in the nation, and its diverse economy |
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benefits from the retail, hospitality, import and export, and |
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health services industries; moreover, Laredo is a focus for higher |
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education in the Rio Grande Valley, as the home to Texas A&M |
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International University, two campuses of Laredo College, and The |
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University of Texas Education and Research Center at Laredo; and |
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WHEREAS, Visitors and residents alike may explore such area |
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attractions as the historic San Agustín Cathedral, the Republic of |
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the Rio Grande Museum, and the Laredo Center for the Arts, while 40 |
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blocks of import vendors along San Bernardo Avenue draw shoppers |
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from near and far; in addition, Laredo is home to Washington's |
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Birthday Celebration, an annual event that includes a carnival, |
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colonial pageant, jalapeño festival, and parade; and |
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WHEREAS, Boasting a rich heritage and a vibrant international |
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culture, the people of Laredo may indeed take great pride in the |
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role their community continues to play in the story of the Lone Star |
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State; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize February 4, 2025, as Laredo Day at the |
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State Capitol and extend a warm welcome to the visiting delegation. |
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Raymond |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 121 was adopted by the House on |
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February 4, 2025, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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