By: Guillen H.R. No. 156
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Willacy County located in Lower Rio Grande Valley in
South Texas in leadership of its Commissioners Court has built a
diversified local economy while also promoting the conservation of
its abundant natural resources; and
WHEREAS, Home to a strong agricultural industry, Willacy
County has supported Bermuda onion farming since 1912 and counts
sorghum among its other most important crops; oil and natural gas
production continue to further contribute to the county's economy
over 73 years, and a recent over $20 million capital investment in
drilling for natural gas underscores the continuing importance of
that industry to the county's economic progress; and
WHEREAS, Other sources of energy are also being developed;
the county welcomed the completion of two wind farms titled, Los
Vientos I, II and Magic Valley built by E.On Climate & Renewables,
Inc, and Duke Energy, Inc. are generating more than 600 megawatts in
green source energy serving South and Central Texas as a long-term
source of revenue to meet energy demands. In addition, Willacy
County has become home to the corporate headquarters of Valley
Telephone Cooperative, which provides access to television
entertainment, telephone services, and the Internet; the location
of several detention centers in the county has added still more jobs
to the local economy; and
WHEREAS, Known for the richness of its plant and animal life,
Willacy County contains a wide variety of flora and faunavar have
received special protection specifically recognizing the "ocelot"
on the federal highly endangered list, a cat species with less than
50 in population habitat known to the area; and
WHEREAS, Willacy County and its leaders aim to promote
ecotourism as for world visitors and residents alike to also enjoy
the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, the Tieniente and East Lake
sections of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge,
the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, and the Padre Island
National Seashore--Laguna Madre; moreover, development of the
Coastal Land Resource Center being developed on donated property by
Edward B. Raymond Heirs, and Herman J. Wetegrove family and
structural improvements to the Laguna Madre at Port Mansfield,
titled Laguna Point Recreation Area as two major projects aimed to
promote tourism, environmental education and recreation of area's
great outdoors with completion dates set for 2014; and
WHEREAS; the county takes pride in partnership with the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service to promote ecotourism, manage and
preserve its pristine environments;
WHEREAS, Willacy County, and its cities and community leaders
work together to build and develop its community human capital by
joining partnership, investment and in alliance with higher
education institutions for college, satellite and classroom
coursework learning to provide it citizens access to education
resources; and
WHEREAS, Willacy County residents are working together to
build a bright future for themselves and their children, and it is
indeed fitting to honor them for their numerous accomplishments;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby recognize Willacy County
Commissioners Court members of 2008, 2009 and current Commissioners
Court elected officials for charting myriad paths toward economic
growth, environmental sustainability and community progress and
extend to its public officials, its business and civic leaders, and
all who call the county home sincere best wishes for continued
success.