H.R. No. 332
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Citizens of Jim Wells County are assembling at the
State Capitol on February 10, 2011, to celebrate the importance of
their home to the history of the State of Texas; and
WHEREAS, A landscape of sweeping grasslands and wide
horizons, the county's early inhabitants, the Chaguane and Payuguan
tribes, enjoyed the region's mild winters and abundant game; after
the first European settlement in 1754, at Penitas Creek, Mexican
ranchers developed land grants into sheep and cattle ranches; in
1848 the region became part of the State of Texas, and it was
formally incorporated as a county in 1911 and named after the
prominent politician James B. Wells, Jr.; and
WHEREAS, With the arrival of the railroad in the 1870s,
county seat Alice became the most important livestock shipment
junction in South Texas, and ranching has remained a mainstay of the
county's economy ever since; cotton and sorghum are important
crops, as are hay, corn, and wheat; since the discovery of oil in
1931, the county has become one of the all-time leaders in oil
production in Texas; and
WHEREAS, The importance of Tejano culture to the county and
to all of Texas is honored by the Tejano Roots Hall of Fame in Alice,
recognizing the region as the birthplace of this popular musical
genre; South Texas culture is further showcased at the South Texas
Museum, housed in the historic McGill Brothers Building in Alice;
the annual Fiesta Bandana, celebrating Cinco de Mayo, is a
highlight of the county's cultural calendar; and
WHEREAS, The county is also the region's center for health
care, with an outstanding medical facility, the CHRISTUS Spohn
Hospital Alice; and
WHEREAS, The hardworking and forward-looking citizens of Jim
Wells County are building on a long tradition of progressive
development, and their industry, achievements, and public spirit
are indeed worthy of special recognition; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby recognize February 10, 2011, as Jim Wells County
Day at the State Capitol and extend to its citizens sincere best
wishes for a memorable visit to Austin.
Aliseda
Pena
Lozano
Guillen
Hunter
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 332 was adopted by the House on
February 24, 2011, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House