H.R. No. 718
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, On March 11, 2009, people from across Atascosa
County are traveling to the State Capitol to celebrate their
community's heritage and to share with fellow Texans their history,
traditions, and achievements; and
WHEREAS, The name Atascosa, derived from the Spanish word for
boggy terrain, was used to describe the area as early as 1788;
during the first part of the 19th century, this grassy prairie
region of South Texas attracted Spanish, Mexican, and
Anglo-American settlers, and by the time of the Texas Revolution,
its ranching industry was flourishing; and
WHEREAS, In 1856, the region was sufficiently populated to be
sectioned off from Bexar County; the original county seat at
Navatasco was later permanently moved to the centrally located town
of Jourdanton; and
WHEREAS, Situated next to the famous Camino Real, the county
has long benefited from its proximity to major transportation
arteries linking it with the Gulf Coast, the Rio Grande Valley, and
Mexico, as well as other major population centers; and
WHEREAS, Atascosa County enjoys the economic benefits reaped
by an abundance of natural resources and, blessed with productive
range and irrigated farmland, the area is known for its farming and
ranching industries; and
WHEREAS, Proud of its ranching heritage, Pleasanton, the
county's trading center, bills itself as the birthplace of the
cowboy, a designation symbolized by a large bronze statue in front
of city hall; in nearby Poteet, known to many as the Strawberry
Capital of the World, a seven-foot, 1,600-pound monument to the
fruit graces the front lawn of city hall and a Strawberry Festival,
the fourth-largest agricultural festival in the state, takes place
in April; and
WHEREAS, Other resources such as oil and gas also play a
significant role in the county's ongoing development, but the most
important asset in the area's increasingly diverse economy is
undoubtedly its industrious citizenry; and
WHEREAS, For more than a century, residents of Atascosa
County have contributed to the economic and cultural development of
Texas, and they are justifiably proud of their rich history; it is
indeed appropriate that they be honored on this day; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby recognize March 11, 2009, as Atascosa County Day
at the State Capitol and extend a warm welcome to all visitors from
that fine county.
Gonzalez Toureilles
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 718 was adopted by the House on March
11, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House