SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 424
WHEREAS, On March 25, 2015, proud citizens of two historic
West Texas counties are gathering in Austin to celebrate Ward and
Winkler Counties Day at the State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, The territory of Ward County was originally home
to the Apache and Comanche Indians, and in 1881, the Texas and
Pacific Railway built a line through the region, with stations at
Barstow and Monahans; the county was created out of part of Tom
Green County in 1887 and named for Thomas "Peg Leg" Ward, a
soldier in the Texas Revolution who lost his leg to a cannonball;
a center for ranching and farming in its early years, the county
was transformed by the discovery of oil and gas in the 1920s;
during World War II, it was the site of Pyote Army Air Field, and
in 1957, the Monahans Sandhills State Historic Park was created
in the county's northeast corner; and
WHEREAS, Monahans, the Ward County seat, was founded in
1880 by an Irishman named John Thomas Monahan, an employee of the
Texas and Pacific who found water at the site, and it was
incorporated in 1928; situated at the hub of the Permian Basin,
the town boasts a welcoming business environment facilitated by
easy access to two railroads and two interstate highways; today,
the area is stronger and busier than ever, with a sharp increase
in oil drilling and a strong commitment by city and county
officials to upgrade the county's infrastructure and accommodate
the growing need for housing, industry, and retail; and
WHEREAS, The Anasazi were the earliest known people in the
Winkler County area, and then in the 1880s, cattlemen established
large ranches on free state land; Winkler County was carved out
of Tom Green County and named after Clinton W. Winkler, a state
legislator and judge; in 1910, the county was officially
organized and the town of Kermit, named after Theodore
Roosevelt's son, was chosen as county seat; the oil boom of the
1920s brought so many people that residents lived in tents and
makeshift shelters, and a new town, Winkler, sprang up; when the
postal authorities advised that there was another town with that
name, it was swiftly shortened to Wink; and
WHEREAS, During the early boom years, Wink acquired a wild
and freewheeling reputation; now, although its economy is still
based on the petroleum industry and ranching, it is better known
as the hometown of music legend Roy Orbison; his first band, the
Wink Westerners, made its radio debut on Kermit station KERB, and
the Roy Orbison Museum is today one of the town's interesting
attractions; and
WHEREAS, These two storied counties hold a notable place in
frontier history, and through the years, their towns have
demonstrated a unique High Plains flair; the residents of both
counties can indeed take great pride in their colorful past as
they look forward to a bright future; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th
Legislature, hereby recognize March 25, 2015, as Ward and Winkler
Counties Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting
delegations sincere best wishes for an informative and enjoyable
visit to Austin.
Perry, Seliger
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 25, 2015.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate