H.R. No. 119
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Residents of Jim Wells County are gathering at the
State Capitol on February 14, 2023; and
WHEREAS, A landscape of sweeping grasslands and wide
horizons, the county's early inhabitants enjoyed the region's mild
winters and abundant game; after the first European settlement in
1754, at Penitas Creek, Mexican ranchers developed land grants into
sheep and cattle ranches; in 1848 the region became part of the
State of Texas, and it was formally incorporated as a county in 1911
and named after the prominent developer and attorney James B. Wells
Jr.; and
WHEREAS, With the arrival of the railroad in the 1870s, Alice
became the most important livestock shipment junction in South
Texas, and ranching has remained a mainstay of the county's economy
ever since; cotton and sorghum are key crops, as are hay, corn, and
wheat; since the discovery of oil in the area in 1931, the county
has become one of the state's leaders in oil production; and
WHEREAS, Notable communities in Jim Wells County include
Orange Grove, Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco, Premont, Sandia, and La
Gloria; the county seat, Alice is a center for health care, with an
outstanding medical facility, the CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Alice;
the Tejano R.O.O.T.S. Hall of Fame in Alice honors Tejano culture
and recognizes the region as the birthplace of this popular musical
genre; the area's distinctive history is showcased at the South
Texas Museum, housed in the 1940s McGill Brothers Building; and
WHEREAS, Celebrating their vibrant heritage as they embrace
the opportunities of the future, the citizens of Jim Wells County
are building on a long tradition of industry, achievement, and
public spirit, and they are indeed deserving of special
recognition; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize February 14, 2023, as Jim Wells County
Day at the State Capitol and extend a warm welcome to the visiting
delegation.
Lozano
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 119 was adopted by the House on
February 14, 2023, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House