SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 216
WHEREAS, Telecommunications professionals from small and
rural telecommunications providers across the state are
gathering in Austin on February 19, 2019, to celebrate their
important contributions to the prosperity of the Lone Star State
and the state's goal of universal telecommunications services
throughout the state; and
WHEREAS, Nearly 85 percent of Texas is considered rural;
rural areas in Texas encompass 142 million acres in 172 counties,
and are home to more than 3.2 million people, the largest rural
population in the nation; and
WHEREAS, Each year, more than $200 billion of the Texas
gross domestic product is generated by such traditionally rural
industries as agriculture, forestry, hunting, and oil and gas
production, and these enterprises require and depend on the
latest in modern communications technology; and
WHEREAS, In response to the needs of these industries and
their communities, 44 of the small and rural incumbent local
exchange carriers of Texas, also known as small and rural ILECs,
are bringing a high-quality telecommunications network to the
vast rural expanse of the state, including remote regions that
are most expensive to serve; and
WHEREAS, This state-of-the-art network provides critical
infrastructure for education, economic development, health care,
law enforcement, and border security; and
WHEREAS, In addition, the small and rural ILECs support
more than 6,300 jobs and are responsible for over $2.5 billion in
direct and indirect economic impact to Texas; and
WHEREAS, These incumbent local exchange carriers play a
vital role in the dynamic economy of Texas in the 21st century,
and they are truly deserving of special recognition for their
accomplishments and contributions; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th
Legislature, hereby recognize February 19, 2019, as Small and
Rural Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers Day at the State Capitol
and extend to the visiting telecommunications professionals
sincere best wishes for a memorable and productive visit to Austin.
Perry
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 19, 2019.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate