SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 233
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
recognize the citizens of Hudspeth County on the occasion of the
county's centennial celebration, which is taking place
February 16, 2017; and
WHEREAS, Hudspeth County is named in honor of State Senator
Claude Hudspeth, who introduced the bill in the 35th Legislature
that led to the organization of the county on September 4, 1917;
largely self-educated, Senator Hudspeth studied law and was
admitted to the bar in 1909; he served in the Texas Senate from
1907 to 1919, and he sponsored numerous bills to benefit the
working men and women of the state; he went on to serve with
distinction for 12 years as a member of the United States House of
Representatives; and
WHEREAS, Hudspeth County covers more than 4,500 square
miles of the vast and scenic Chihuahuan Desert, and residents
take great pleasure in the county's great natural beauty and
friendly, close-knit communities; and
WHEREAS, People have lived in the area since prehistoric
times, and missionaries and soldiers from New Spain visited the
region as early as 1581; in 1849, John "Rip" Ford and Major Robert
Neighbors laid out a trail that would be used by prospectors on
their way to the California gold fields; Fort Quitman was
established in 1858 on the Rio Grande to protect travelers and
mail coaches between San Antonio and El Paso; and
WHEREAS, The country's second transcontinental railway was
completed in 1881 near the present-day county seat, Sierra
Blanca,andhomesteadersbegansettlingintheareaintheearly
20th century; the county later served as a haven for refugees
fleeing the upheaval caused by the Mexican Revolution; and
WHEREAS, Through the years, the county's economy has been
based largely on ranching, farming, and mining; tourism and
outdoor activities attract numerous visitors to the Guadalupe
Mountains National Park and the Sierra Diablo Wildlife
Management Area, which is home to the state's largest population
of free-ranging bighorn sheep; and
WHEREAS, The people of Hudspeth County are confidently
facing the future while continuing to embrace their rich and
colorful past; it is truly fitting that they receive special
recognition as the county celebrates its centennial anniversary;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
Legislature, hereby commend the citizens of Hudspeth County on
their many contributions to the growth and progress of our state
and extend to them best wishes for a memorable centennial
celebration; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
the county as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
RodrÃguez
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 21, 2017.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate