S.C.R. No. 11
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The picturesque and historic community of Fort Davis
deserves special recognition as the town with the highest elevation
in the Lone Star State, 5,050 feet above sea level; and
WHEREAS, Completely surrounded by the Chihuahuan Desert,
Fort Davis is situated among the Davis Mountains in what
geographers call a "sky island," a self-contained mountainous
region with a cooler and wetter climate than the hot, arid region
all around it; this impressive geological formation is the result
of volcanic activity 35 million years ago, and the area's forested
ecology is inhabited by flora and fauna that couldn't survive in the
desert below; for centuries, Native American groups, including the
Mescalero Apache, used this elevated, temperate region as a refuge
from the harsh conditions of the desert; and
WHEREAS, Fort Davis takes its name from the U.S. Army post
that was established in 1854, a location now preserved as the Fort
Davis National Historic Site; Brevet General Persifor F. Smith,
commander of the Department of Texas, personally selected the site
in part because the high elevation helped guarantee its "pure water
and salubrious climate"; thanks to its unusual geography, the area
was also blessed with ample timber, game, and forage for livestock,
which benefited the soldiers of the fort, as well as the ranchers
and other settlers who followed; through the decades, the town has
been popular with visitors who enjoy its cool nights during the
blistering heat of a Texas summer, a tradition that began in the
years before air conditioning and continues to the present; and
WHEREAS, In addition to the restored fort, the area's
attractions include the scenic beauty of Davis Mountains State Park
and its majestic Indian Lodge hotel as well as the magnificent
ponderosa pines of the Davis Mountains Preserve; motorists enjoy
driving the Davis Mountains Scenic Loop, which is the highest
section of the Texas highway system, reaching an altitude of 6,700
feet; star-filled nights are another boon of the town's elevation,
and they are best experienced at the Star Parties hosted by the
nearby McDonald Observatory; and
WHEREAS, Uniquely situated amid rugged mountains and below
the spectacular West Texas sky, Fort Davis is beloved by residents
and visitors alike, and it has earned a well-deserved reputation as
one of the Lone Star State's "top" destinations; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the 87th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby designate Fort Davis as the official Highest Town in Texas;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of Section
391.003(e), Government Code, this designation remain in effect
until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is finally
passed by the legislature.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 11 was adopted by the Senate
on April 19, 2021, by a viva-voce vote.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 11 was adopted by the House
on May 11, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 129, Nays 17,
2 present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor