81R20216 MMS-D
By: Gallego H.R. No. 1134
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A number of proud West Texas citizens are gathering
in Austin on March 31, 2009, to celebrate Hudspeth County Day at the
State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, Created out of El Paso County in 1917, Hudspeth
County covers more than 4,500 square miles of the vast Chihuahuan
Desert, and residents enjoy the area's great natural beauty,
sweeping vistas, and friendly, close-knit communities; and
WHEREAS, Numerous archeological sites in the county attest to
the presence of farmers and hunter-gatherers in prehistoric times,
and missionaries and soldiers from northern New Spain traversed the
area as early as 1581; in 1849, John S. "Rip" Ford and Major Robert
S. Neighbors charted a trail that would be used by many adventurers
on their way to the California gold fields; Fort Quitman was
established in 1858 on the Rio Grande, in the southern part of the
present-day county, to protect travelers and mail coaches en route
between San Antonio and El Paso; and
WHEREAS, In 1881, the country's second transcontinental
railroad was completed near what is now Sierra Blanca, and Jay Gould
drove in a silver spike to mark the occasion; the town of Sierra
Blanca quickly developed into a shipping point and commercial
center, and when the county was organized it became the county seat;
Dell City, in the north, and Fort Hancock, near the Rio Grande, are
the two other largest communities; and
WHEREAS, The economy of Hudspeth County has been based
chiefly on ranching, farming, and mining, along with tourism and
hunting leases; a section of the Guadalupe Mountains National Park,
a popular destination for outdoors enthusiasts, is located within
the county, as is part of the Sierra Diablo Wildlife Management
Area, which is home to the largest population of free-ranging
bighorn sheep in Texas; and
WHEREAS, Popular annual events include the Dell Valley
Hudspeth County Fair and Wild West Chile Fest, held jointly in Dell
City, the Dell City Junior Livestock Show, Halloween Parade, and
July Fourth fireworks, and the Sierra Blanca livestock show and
Fourth of July Fair; points of interest in Sierra Blanca include the
old railroad depot, which now houses the Hudspeth County Museum,
and the courthouse, which is the only such structure in Texas that
is built of adobe; and
WHEREAS, The citizens of Hudspeth County share a deep
appreciation for their beloved corner of the Lone Star State, and it
is a pleasure to recognize their achievements and their public
spirit; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby recognize March 31, 2009, as Hudspeth County Day
at the State Capitol and extend to all those who have come to Austin
sincere best wishes for an enjoyable and memorable visit.