H.R. No. 2490
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Edwards Abstract and Title Company is celebrating
its 135th anniversary in May 2015; and
WHEREAS, A leading title company in the Rio Grande Valley,
the firm was established in 1880 by Judge James Henry Edwards, who
played a key role in clearing land titles in Hidalgo and Starr
Counties; he spent many years gathering data for properties from
early settlers and old records, and he often visited the archives in
San Carlos, Mexico, to find missing heirs to Spanish land grants;
and
WHEREAS, Judge Edwards died in 1925, and his wife, L. S.
Edwards, incorporated the firm with her sons, James and Cecil
Edwards; the family continued to operate the company in Edinburg
until 1984, when they sold it to Jesse D. Hedrick; he expanded the
business, opening new locations in McAllen, Weslaco, Mission, and
Sharyland Plantation; and
WHEREAS, In 2001, Byron Jay Lewis purchased the company, and
he served as president before taking on the roles of board chair and
chief executive officer; he is also a founding partner in the law
firm of Lewis, Monroe, and Peña, which serves as counsel to the
company; today, Edwards Abstract and Title employs more than 80
people at offices in Brownsville, Edinburg, Harlingen, McAllen,
Mission, South Padre Island, and Weslaco; and
WHEREAS, Few businesses can claim a distinguished history
spanning well over a century, and it is indeed a pleasure to
recognize Edwards Abstract and Title Company as it marks this
significant milestone; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Edwards Abstract and Title Company
on its 135th anniversary and extend to all those associated with the
firm sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the company as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Canales
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2490 was adopted by the House on May
31, 2015, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House