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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The observance of National Historic Preservation |
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Month in May 2025 provides an ideal opportunity to recognize Rio |
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Vista Farm in Socorro; and |
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WHEREAS, Rio Vista Farm was founded as a poor farm and |
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institutional facility in the early 20th century; beginning in |
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World War II, it became a crucial site in the Bracero Program, the |
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landmark labor agreement between the United States and Mexico that |
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brought Mexican workers to the U.S. to fill agricultural and |
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railroad jobs; and |
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WHEREAS, After opening in 1942 as one of the first bracero |
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reception and processing centers, Rio Vista remained one of the |
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most active until its closing in 1964; thousands of Mexican |
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laborers passed through its gates, responding to our nation's |
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workforce needs during the war and in the decades that followed; and |
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WHEREAS, The City of Socorro and its historic preservation |
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officer, Victor Reta, have worked tirelessly to raise awareness of |
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the importance of Rio Vista; in 2024, it was designated as a |
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National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service, becoming |
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the first site in Far West Texas to receive this distinction in over |
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two decades; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, the city is leading a $35 million historic |
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rehabilitation project to transform Rio Vista into a cultural, |
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educational, and economic cornerstone for the region; the campus |
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will remind future generations of the immeasurable contributions |
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made by braceros to the growth and prosperity of the country; and |
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WHEREAS, Understanding the places that shaped our past |
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fosters wisdom for building a brighter future, and the |
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revitalization of Rio Vista Farm is elevating a legacy that should |
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never be forgotten; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor Rio Vista Farm on the occasion of National |
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Historic Preservation Month and commend all those involved in the |
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revitalization initiative for their dedicated efforts; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the City of Socorro as an expression of high regard by |
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the Texas House of Representatives. |
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González of El Paso |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 1153 was adopted by the House on May |
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23, 2025, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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