By: Zaffirini, et al. S.R. No. 2
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Texas-Mexico border spans 14 counties in the
State of Texas, and approximately 10 percent of the state's
population resides in a Texas-Mexico border county; and
WHEREAS, Millions of people rely on crossing the border to
access education, health care, retail, and other service
industry necessities, and these activities have a positive
effect on the economic stability of the region; the border
generated more than $350 billion in annual gross domestic product
as of 2019, and trade within the region represents more than 5
percent of Texas' gross domestic product; and
WHEREAS, In 2018, trade through the El Paso port of entry
affected approximately 165,000 net jobs in Texas and $25 billion
in gross domestic product; moreover, Port Laredo is the largest
inland trade port along the border, ranking third in the nation
for total trade in May 2021; across the United States, the
Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge is the second largest
produce-crossing land port, ensuring the efficient delivery of
fresh fruits and vegetables to all Americans; and
WHEREAS, The Texas-Mexico border is a vibrant, thriving,
multicultural region that contributes to the richness and
diversity of our state and country; the majority of area
residents are Americans of at least partial Mexican descent, and
the tri-national region includes tribal nations such as the
Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas and Ysleta del Sur Pueblo of
El Paso; and
WHEREAS, Border communities have long been recognized for
their steadfast commitment to safety; countless generations of
Texans have chosen to rear their families along the Texas-Mexico
border due to its peaceful community, and some of the safest
cities in the country include Brownsville, Eagle Pass, Del Rio,
Laredo, McAllen, and El Paso, which is known for Fort Bliss and
its significant military presence; and
WHEREAS, Multiple cities along the border have been
honored with the All-American City award; El Paso has won the
award four times, and Edinburg has won three times; other
recipients of this prestigious designation include Brownsville,
McAllen, Mission, Hidalgo, Pharr, and Weslaco; and
WHEREAS, The Texas-Mexico border features an ecologically
diverse environment; the region's natural sites include the
Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, Quinta Mazatlán, the
Butterfly Center, and Big Bend National Park, which attracts
numerous species of birds, plants, butterflies, bats, reptiles,
and ants; in addition, one of the state's symbols, the Texas red
grapefruit, is grown in the Rio Grande Valley; and
WHEREAS, Countless Texans benefit from the border region's
premier educational institutions, which include four-year
universities, junior colleges, and trade schools; more than
28,600 students are enrolled in The University of Texas Rio
Grande Valley, and the UTRGV School of Medicine currently serves
hundreds of medical students, medical residents, and fellows who
participate in hospital-based training programs; there are three
higher education institutions in Laredo, namely Texas A&M
International University and Laredo College, which are
designated Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and The University of
Texas System Multi-Institution Center; and
WHEREAS, The Texas-Mexico border region is playing a vital
role in the story of the Lone Star State, and it is indeed
deserving of special recognition; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 87th Texas Legislature,
2nd Called Session, hereby recognize that the Texas-Mexico
border is vital to the economy, education, and character of our
state, and that the cities and counties along the Texas-Mexico
border are vibrant, prosperous, diverse, and safe communities.