83R8038 LUC-D By: Morrison H.R. No. 578 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, Proud citizens of Victoria are gathering in Austin on March 6, 2013, to celebrate Victoria Day at the State Capitol; and WHEREAS, Founded in 1824 by Martin de Leon, the city was named Guadalupe Victoria after the first president of Mexico; it was renamed Victoria after the Texas Revolution and incorporated under the Republic of Texas in 1839; and WHEREAS, Later that century, Victoria became a major junction on the routes between San Antonio, Austin, northern Mexico, and the ports of the Gulf Coast, and at the same time developed into a center for ranching; one of the first meat-packing plants was established there in 1869; and WHEREAS, Today agribusiness, the petrochemical industry, and tourism all contribute to the city's prosperity; in addition, Victoria is an educational and cultural hub for the Coastal Bend; students benefit from the outstanding teachers and scholars of Victoria College and the University of Houston--Victoria, while patrons delight in the annual seasons of the Victoria Ballet Theatre, the Victoria Symphony, and Theatre Victoria, as well as the exhibitions of contemporary art at the Nave Museum; and WHEREAS, Victoria's rich history is evoked in artifacts showcased at the Museum of the Coastal Bend and by the Romanesque Revival architecture of the Victoria County Courthouse and the O'Connor-Proctor Building; moreover, De Leon Plaza, one of four public squares set aside by the city's founder, is filled with monuments and memorials; other popular attractions include the Texas Zoo, featuring more than 150 native animals, Riverside Park, with more than 560 acres of woodland, and Fossati's Delicatessen, the oldest deli in Texas; and WHEREAS, Combining the best qualities of small-town life with all the advantages of a thriving mid-size city, Victoria is one of the treasures of the Lone Star State, and its appealing mix of history and culture make it an excellent place to live, work, and raise a family; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby recognize March 6, 2013, as Victoria Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere best wishes for a meaningful and memorable visit to Austin.