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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Caterpillar Inc. in Irving is celebrating its 100th |
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anniversary in 2025, and this occasion offers a welcome opportunity |
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to reflect on the history and accomplishments of this venerable |
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enterprise; and |
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WHEREAS, Caterpillar can trace its origins back to the late |
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19th century, when inventors Benjamin Holt and C. L. Best |
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independently developed steam- and gasoline-powered equipment that |
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could work faster and longer than horse-drawn machines; their |
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companies merged into what was then known as the Caterpillar |
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Tractor Co. in 1925; initially offering five agricultural models, |
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the company has since expanded its product line to include |
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construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, |
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industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives; and |
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WHEREAS, Over the decades, Caterpillar products have |
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supported some of the world's biggest infrastructure projects, |
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including the U.S. interstate highway system, the Panama Canal, the |
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Golden Gate Bridge, and the Hoover and Three Gorges Dams, and its |
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equipment played a vital role in powering the Apollo 11 mission to |
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the moon; a strong presence in Texas since the 1960s, the company |
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moved its headquarters to Irving in 2022; and |
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WHEREAS, Caterpillar is dedicated to closing the skills gaps |
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in the manufacturing industry, and it has launched numerous |
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initiatives to further this goal, including a STEM outreach |
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program, a paid technician training initiative, and the Global |
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Dealer Technician Challenge; moreover, the company recently |
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pledged $100 million to continue its efforts to build an adept |
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workforce; a Fortune 500 company, Caterpillar has been recognized |
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for its innovation, quality, and commitment to diversity, |
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sustainability, and employee satisfaction by such notable |
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publications as Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, |
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Construction Equipment, and Roads & Bridges; and |
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WHEREAS, Businesses that employ Texans and that contribute to |
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the local economy are important components of a prosperous future, |
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and Caterpillar is deserving of recognition for the positive role |
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it plays in the Lone Star State and beyond; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 89th Texas Legislature |
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hereby commemorate the 100th anniversary of Caterpillar Inc. and |
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extend to all those associated with the company sincere best wishes |
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for the future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Caterpillar as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas Senate. |