SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 471
WHEREAS, Proud residents of the Mid-Valley region of Texas
are gathering in Austin on March 9, 2011, to celebrate Mid-Valley
Day at the State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, Located in eastern Hidalgo County in the Rio
Grande Valley, the Mid-Valley region includes the towns of Alamo,
Donna, Mercedes, Progreso, Progreso Lakes, San Juan, and
Weslaco; this area is a center for agribusiness, with farmers
producing sugarcane, grains, and citrus fruit such as
grapefruits and oranges; and
WHEREAS, The city of Alamo is located in close proximity to
the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, which comprises more than
2,000 acres of protected land and is home to a wide array of
animals and plants; in addition, the town boasts a birding
information center and the recently renovated Alamo Central
Park; and
WHEREAS, Upholding the motto "the City with a Heart in the
Heart of the Rio Grande Valley," Donna recently celebrated the
opening of the Donna-Rio Bravo International Bridge;
representing a federal investment of $110 million over 10 years,
the bridge is expected to facilitate shopping, tourism, and
commercial trade to and from Mexico; and
WHEREAS, Mercedes has long been a major center for the
processing and marketing of livestock, cotton, and vegetables,
and it is also known for its boot makers and the shopping
opportunities at the Rio Grande Valley Premium Outlets; the
annual Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show and Rodeo draws more than
200,000 people to town each year, and the event provides valuable
scholarship funds for 4-H and FFA students; and
WHEREAS, In addition to being centers for the sugarcane
business, Progreso and Progreso Lakes have been serving as
gateways to the Rio Grande Valley since the opening of the
international bridge between Progreso and Nuevo Progreso in
2003; and
WHEREAS, Fast-growing San Juan is the home of the Basilica
of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle National Shrine, which attracts
multitudes of pilgrims from throughout the United States and
Mexico; the town hosts an annual Spring Fiesta and is the site of
numerous parks, including Liberty Park, with its flagpole
monument that honors those who have served in the United States
armed forces; and
WHEREAS, The city of Weslaco has become a favorite
destination for tourists, golfers, retirees, and birders and is
the location of two important Texas A&M University research
stations; the annual Onion Fest celebrates the development of the
famous Texas 1015 onion in Weslaco, and this popular event brings
many visitors to the city; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the Mid-Valley region, great emphasis
is placed on the value of education, and one particularly
striking example of the area's educational achievements came in
2010, when Newsweek ranked the Science Academy of South Texas in
Mercedes as number 12 on its list of "America's Best High
Schools"; and
WHEREAS, The residents of this dynamic region of the Lone
Star State are justifiably proud of their hard work, civic
commitment, and innovative spirit, and their efforts have
created a group of notable Texas communities that are well
prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd
Legislature, hereby recognize March 9, 2011, as Mid-Valley Day at
the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere
best wishes for an informative and enjoyable stay in Austin; and,
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared to
commemorate this special occasion.
Lucio
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 9, 2011.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate