81R7009 JGH-D
By: Heflin H.R. No. 549
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Public-spirited residents of Big Spring and its
vicinity are gathering in Austin to celebrate Big Spring Area Day
at the State Capitol on March 25, 2009; and
WHEREAS, This location in the foothills of the Caprock
escarpment of West Texas was named for the "big spring" in Sulphur
Draw, which was originally a watering place for wolves, antelope,
buffalo, and wild mustangs; the spring was visited by the Comanche
and Shawnee, and it later became a campsite on the Santa Fe Trail;
and
WHEREAS, Settled by buffalo hunters and ranchers in the
1870s, the region became more populated after the arrival of the
Texas and Pacific Railroad in 1880; the town of Big Spring grew up
around a rail station that was located several miles from Sulphur
Draw; in 1882, Howard County was established with Big Spring as its
seat, and by 1884, the town had four general stores, six saloons,
and a newspaper; and
WHEREAS, By 1920, Big Spring had become an important shipping
junction for livestock, cotton, and grain; the discovery of oil in
1926 led to rapid growth; during World War II, the Big Spring Army
Air Corps Bombardier School trained more than 5,000 bombardiers;
Webb Air Force Base was later established on the site, and after the
base closed in 1977, ownership of the airfield reverted to the City
of Big Spring; now known as McMahon-Wrinkle Airport/Airpark, the
facility is a major catalyst for development in the area; and
WHEREAS, Today, cotton, cattle, and oil and gas production
continue to undergird the diversified economy of Big Spring, in
addition to the newer industries of composite manufacturing,
telecommunications services, and plastics; the presence of four
wind turbine farms has also made the region a leader in the
production of green energy in Texas; in the city of Big Spring
itself, the creation of the Downtown Historic District is spurring
redevelopment, including the restoration of the famous Settles
Hotel and the revitalization and beautification of the city's
business district; and
WHEREAS, A vital nexus for health care services, Big Spring
is home to the VA Medical Center, Scenic Mountain Medical Center,
Howard County Mental Health Center, and Big Spring State Hospital,
as well as the main offices of the West Texas VA Health Care System
and the West Texas Centers for Mental Health and Mental
Retardation; the area's schoolchildren are served by the Big
Spring, Coahoma, and Forsan Independent School Districts, and
postsecondary education is provided by Howard College and the
Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf; and
WHEREAS, Residents and visitors alike enjoy the fine
recreational opportunities in the region; Big Spring State Park,
capping a tall limestone bluff, offers striking views, and Moss
Creek Lake affords enjoyable opportunities for camping, swimming,
picnicking, and boating; the Heritage Museum tells the story of
life in West Texas from the time of the Comanche to the oil boom,
while the Hangar 25 Air Museum features aircraft exhibits; and
WHEREAS, Celebrating their rich history as they work to
create a still brighter future, the people of Big Spring may take
great pride in their heritage and their contribution to the
prosperity of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby recognize March 25, 2009, as Big Spring Area Day
at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere
best wishes for a meaningful and memorable stay in Austin.