SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 142
WHEREAS, Members of the Texas Senate are pleased to join
with a delegation of citizens of Edinburg in celebrating Edinburg
Day at the State Capitol on February 10, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Long considered the gateway to the lower Rio
Grande Valley, Edinburg was originally known as Chapin when it
became the Hidalgo County seat 100 years ago; it was a ranching
community in its early years, then the arrival of the railroad
and the introduction of irrigation in the early 20th century
shifted the emphasis of the local economy to the farming of
cotton, grain, and citrus; and
WHEREAS, Officially incorporated in 1919, Edinburg
experienced a period of growth and prosperity fostered by the
foresight of such city leaders as John Closner and W. F. Sprague;
as a thriving center for agricultural marketing and processing,
Edinburg experienced a building boom that included the
construction of the Grandview Hospital and the Sam Houston and
Stephen F. Austin Elementary Schools, all of which still stand;
and
WHEREAS, The educational needs of area students are
capably met by the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School
District; encompassing 945 square miles, the district includes
27 elementary schools, four middle schools, three high schools,
and an alternative campus; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1927 as Edinburg Junior College, The
University of Texas--Pan American remains one of the Valley's
premier institutions of higher learning; the university has
recently established a master's degree program in creative
writing in order to foster a new generation of South Texas
writers; and
WHEREAS, The University of Texas Regional Academic Health
Center in Edinburg is part of a three-city, upper-division
medical school system that includes an educational component in
Harlingen and a postgraduate school of public health in
Brownsville; and
WHEREAS, The Edinburg Children's Hospital has a 24-hour
pediatric emergency room; the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance
offers a full range of medical and surgical services; and the new
Women's Hospital at Renaissance is able to handle the delivery of
8,000 babies a year; and
WHEREAS, The vibrant history and culture of the region are
highlighted by the Museum of South Texas History; the facility's
recent expansion includes the Rio Grande Legacy exhibit, tracing
the history of the Valley from prehistoric times to the 19th
century; further expansion of the museum will include the
continuation of the Rio Grande Legacy exhibit to the present day,
as well as the construction of the Will Looney Legacy Park; and
WHEREAS, Other Edinburg attractions include the 40-acre
wetlands of the World Birding Center, where waterfowl and native
plants can be viewed from winding trails and viewing platforms;
events such as the annual All-American 10K Run/Walk promote
health and fitness, attracting participants from all over Texas
and the world; Edinburg is also home to the Texas Cook'Em
cook-off, where grill cooks compete to prepare the best steaks,
chicken, spare ribs, and brisket; and
WHEREAS, Edinburg's dynamic business climate is attracting
major employers in manufacturing and the medical field, and the
city's unemployment rate is the lowest in the Rio Grande Valley
and better than the state and national levels; the Edinburg
Economic Development Corporation has authorized substantial
investment in filmmaking as part of its efforts to promote higher
education, cultural enrichment, fine arts, and other positive
aspects of this vibrant city; and
WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of its mayor and city
commissioners, the city has experienced steady and favorable
growth, and Edinburg has been recognized three times by the
National Civic League as an All-America City; and
WHEREAS, In October of 2008, Edinburg celebrated its
centennial as the county seat of Hidalgo County; proud of their
rich history, the people of Edinburg are determined to preserve
the best of the city's past while joining together to build a
future full of hope and opportunity; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st
Legislature, hereby recognize February 10, 2009, as Edinburg Day
at the State Capitol and extend a warm welcome to the delegation
from Edinburg.
Hinojosa, Lucio
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 10, 2009.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate
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Member, Texas Senate