H.R. No. 156
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Willacy County, located in the Lower Rio Grande
Valley in South Texas, under the 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 and built by E.On Climate &
Renewables, Inc., and Duke Energy, Inc., which 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 fauna that have
received special protection, specifically recognizing the "ocelot"
on the federal highly endangered list, a cat species with fewer than
50 in population habitat known to the area; and
WHEREAS, Willacy County and its leaders aim to promote
ecotourism 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, are two major projects aimed
to promote tourism, environmental education, and recreation of the
area's great outdoors, with completion dates set for 2014; and
WHEREAS, The county takes pride in its partnership with the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to promote ecotourism and manage and
preserve its pristine environments; and
WHEREAS, Willacy County and its cities and community leaders
work together to build and develop its community human capital by
joining partnerships, by investment, and in alliance with higher
education institutions for college, satellite, and classroom
coursework learning to provide its 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 and 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.
Guillen
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 156 was adopted by the House on July
29, 2013, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House