H.R. No. 1520
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society is
presenting the first annual Rio Grande Festival in San Elizario on
April 28-30, 2017; and
WHEREAS, This free celebration commemorates the arrival of
the Oñate expedition in the El Paso area in the late 16th century;
Don Juan de Oñate was commissioned by King Philip II of Spain in
1595 to settle the New Mexico region in the name of the crown; in
January 1598, Oñate embarked on that mission from Santa Barbara,
Mexico, leading a group of 400 men and their families across the
Chihuahuan Desert; they reached the present-day site of San
Elizario three months later, and on April 30, Oñate issued an
official proclamation, known as La Toma, claiming the land for
Spain; and
WHEREAS, In addition to a reenactment of that momentous
event, the three-day festival will feature a special dinner with
entertainment, as well as a host of other family-friendly
activities, including daily cultural presentations, live music,
and arts and crafts; another major component of the festival is a
three-day history conference, the 26th such annual meeting the
society has sponsored; more than 30 speakers will be addressing a
range of topics, among them such subjects as the Oñate expedition,
historical preservation, and UNESCO World Heritage sites along the
Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, the Royal Inland Road, which passed
through El Paso del Norte and stretched some 1,600 miles, linking
Mexico City with Santa Fe; and
WHEREAS, The Rio Grande Festival offers local residents and
visitors alike the opportunity to learn more about a significant
milestone in the history of Mexico and the American Southwest, and
it is a pleasure to pay tribute to this outstanding celebration and
the dedicated individuals who have brought it to fruition; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the first annual Rio Grande Festival
and extend to the organizers and attendees sincere best wishes for a
memorable and enjoyable occasion; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society as
an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.
González of El Paso
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1520 was adopted by the House on May
4, 2017, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House