84R16351 KSM-D By: Guillen H.R. No. 1464 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, Residents from Atascosa County are gathering in Austin on March 24, 2015, to celebrate Atascosa County Day at the State Capitol; and WHEREAS, During the first part of the 19th century, the grassy prairie region of South Texas that would become Atascosa County attracted Spanish, Mexican, and Anglo-American settlers, and by the time of the Texas Revolution, its ranching industry was flourishing; in 1856, the region was sufficiently populated to be sectioned off from Bexar County; the county seat, originally at Navatasco, was later moved to Pleasanton, and then in 1910, voters supported moving it again, this time to the more centrally located town of Jourdanton; and WHEREAS, Situated near the famous Camino Real, Atascosa County has long benefited from its proximity to major transportation arteries linking it with the Gulf Coast, the Rio Grande Valley, and Mexico, as well as other major population centers; the county enjoys the economic benefits reaped by an abundance of natural resources and, blessed with productive range and irrigated farmland, the area is known for its agricultural industries; additionally, other resources such as oil and gas play a significant role in the economy; and WHEREAS, Proud of its ranching heritage, Pleasanton, the county's trading center, bills itself as the birthplace of the cowboy, a designation symbolized by a large bronze statue in front of city hall; in nearby Poteet, known to many as the Strawberry Capital, a Strawberry Festival takes place in April, and a seven-foot, 1,600-pound monument to the fruit graces the front lawn of the fire department; and WHEREAS, The residents of Atascosa County have made many notable contributions to the economy and culture of Texas, and they may take justifiable pride in the place that they call home; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby recognize March 24, 2015, as Atascosa County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere best wishes for an informative and enjoyable stay in Austin.