86R15321 KSM-D By: Nevárez H.R. No. 619 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, Citizens of Reeves County are celebrating Reeves County Day at the State Capitol; and WHEREAS, Habitation of Reeves County began in prehistoric times, with the earliest residents dwelling in rock shelters and caves in the Barrilla Hills, where artifacts and pictographs provide clues to their way of life; by the time Spanish explorer Antonio de Espejo visited the region in 1583, the Jumano Indians had established irrigated crops of corn and peaches, and farmers of Mexican descent later prospered in the fertile Madera Valley; the first Anglo farmers settled in Toyah Valley in the early 1870s; and WHEREAS, In 1881, the area witnessed the opening of a new chapter in its history with the arrival of the Texas and Pacific Railway, and the county was organized three years later; Pecos, the county seat, attracted colorful characters as a crossroads for both cattle trails and railroads, and its frontier days saw several infamous gunfights; a roping and riding competition staged on the Fourth of July in 1883 launched what is now the West of the Pecos Rodeo, which marked its 135th anniversary in June 2018; and WHEREAS, Ranching and farming remain critical components of the Reeves County economy; the alkaline soil and optimal growing conditions produce the Pecos cantaloupe, known nationwide for its sweet flavor, as well as cotton, pecans, pistachios, and other crops; oil and natural gas represent another aspect of the economy, while tourists are drawn by the scenery, including such spots as the spring-fed pool at Balmorhea State Park, and by the West of the Pecos Museum, which offers the unique opportunity to explore the rooms of a historic hotel and saloon; and WHEREAS, Rich in Western heritage and natural beauty, Reeves County can boast of many distinctive features, and its citizens may take justifiable pride in the important role their unique region continues to play in the story of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas Legislature hereby recognize Reeves County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere best wishes for an informative and enjoyable stay in Austin.