H.R. No. 285
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Residents of Harlingen are gathering in Austin on
February 9, 2011, to celebrate Harlingen Day at the State Capitol;
and
WHEREAS, From the time in 1904 when Lon C. Hill chose a site
alongside the St. Louis, Brownsville, and Mexico Railway as the
location for a new town, Harlingen was destined to become a
crossroads of commerce; the first train passed through the rugged
settlement that railroad workers called "Rattlesnake Junction" on
July 4, 1904; tales of Texas Rangers and customs patrol agents
taking target practice next to the rail depot soon gave Harlingen
its next nickname of "Six-shooter Junction"; and
WHEREAS, Between the 1910s and 1930s, trains brought
thousands of Midwestern farmers to Harlingen to set up operations
in the fertile Magic Valley, where they found they could grow at
least two crops a year, and during World War II, the city was home to
Harlingen Army Airfield, a facility that grew and evolved into
Harlingen Air Force Base; and
WHEREAS, The base eventually became Valley International
Airport, the largest airport in the Rio Grande Valley, which,
together with the city's bridge to Mexico and the port that connects
it to the Intracoastal Waterway, serves to further underscore the
community's importance as a center for trade; and
WHEREAS, The area's semitropical climate, natural resources,
and friendly people make it a destination for travelers, including
"winter" Texans and bird-watchers and other outdoor enthusiasts;
the community's list of attractions has expanded to include the Iwo
Jima Memorial, the mural and heritage trails in the historic
downtown district, and numerous sports fields and parks; and
WHEREAS, Harlingen has developed into a regional health care
hub, with medical facilities that include Valley Baptist Health
System, Harlingen Medical Center, and Su Clinica Familiar;
moreover, the city has recently become the headquarters of the VA
Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care Network, which contains a
160,000-square-foot ambulatory and surgical facility; and
WHEREAS, Area residents have long understood the importance
of education, and the community is home to Texas State Technical
College, the Marine Military Academy, and the Regional Academic
Health Center of The University of Texas Health Science Center at
San Antonio; and
WHEREAS, This thriving city of 70,000 people is led by mayor
Chris Boswell in conjunction with city commissioners Gustavo C.
Ruiz, Robert A. Leftwich, Kori Marra, Jerry Prepejchal, and Joey
Trevino; and
WHEREAS, A dynamic community that draws on a rich history as
it prepares for an exciting future, Harlingen has established
itself as an outstanding place to live and work, and its citizens
may indeed take great pride in the area's ongoing achievements;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby recognize February 9, 2011, as Harlingen Day at
the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere
best wishes for an enjoyable and memorable visit.
Lucio III
Lozano
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 285 was adopted by the House on
February 9, 2011, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House