H.R. No. 203
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, February 10, 2023, marks the 175th anniversary of
the founding of Starr County; and
WHEREAS, Located in South Texas along the Rio Grande and the
U.S. border with Mexico, Starr County was visited by Spanish
explorers in the 17th century, but it was not until 1749 that the
Spanish crown issued land grants to settle the region; in 1763, the
first settlement was made by Francisco de la Garza Martinéz, who
founded Rancho Carnestolendas; another early settlement was
established later that year by the Saenz family; by 1850, Los Saenz
had been renamed Roma-Los Saenz and was a thriving community with an
economy based on cattle and sheep ranching; and
WHEREAS, For a time following the Texas Revolution, both
Mexico and the Republic of Texas laid claim to the area, which
became part of Nueces County after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
ended the Mexican War in 1848; that year, the county was organized
and named for James Harper Starr; and
WHEREAS, Rio Grande City, the county seat, is located in the
heart of Los Caminos del Rio Heritage Corridor, which contains
numerous architectural and historical treasures from the 18th and
19th centuries; Roma, the second largest city in the county, is one
of the best remaining Spanish colonial townsites in the lower Rio
Grande Valley; the city was designated as a national historic
district and was used in the filming of Viva Zapata, starring Marlon
Brando; other notable towns include Escobares and La Grulla; and
WHEREAS, Residents and visitors alike benefit from the
recreational opportunities afforded by Las Palomas State Wildlife
Management Area and Falcon International Reservoir as well as
year-round hunting; in addition, the county hosts a number of
annual events, including the Starr County Fair and the Fourth of
July Parade and Festival, held in Rio Grande City; and
WHEREAS, The people of Starr County share a rich and colorful
heritage, and they may indeed take great pride in their home as they
celebrate this milestone anniversary; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the 175th anniversary of Starr
County and extend to its citizens sincere best wishes for the
future.
Guillen
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 203 was adopted by the House on March
7, 2023, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House