88R12973 TBO-D
By: LaMantia, Hinojosa, Zaffirini S.R. No. 196
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A distinguished delegation from South Texas is
visiting Austin on February 22, 2023, to celebrate Rio Grande
Valley Day at the State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, Enjoying a strategic location on the Gulf of Mexico
and along the Mexican border, the Rio Grande Valley was an important
ranching region when Texas became the nation's 28th state in 1845;
over time, the economy shifted from ranching to agriculture, and
the Valley became the state's center of citrus and vegetable
production; and
WHEREAS, In the 1960s, industry flourished and international
trade became increasingly prominent; the region has contributed
significantly to the tremendous increase in commerce across the
United States-Mexico border, with more than 1,152,000 trucks, 11.7
million cars carrying 24.3 million passengers, 28,000 buses
carrying over 300,000 passengers, and 6.2 million pedestrians
crossing Rio Grande Valley ports of entry each year; commerce
across the border averages more than $140 million in goods and
services per day, with over $51 billion in commercial trade per year
flowing across various land ports of entry; the Rio Grande Valley is
an economic powerhouse for the State of Texas with approximately
$12.5 billion in taxable sales recorded in reporting year 2022; and
WHEREAS, The Valley has 1.4 million residents, with
approximately 600,000 individuals under the age of 25, and local
and state officials have focused on the need to expand access to
higher education and health care, strengthen the workforce,
increase transportation and ports of entry infrastructure, and
increase funding for public education; The University of Texas Rio
Grande Valley serves some 30,000 students; the UTRGV School of
Medicine is in its seventh year of operation with numerous GME
programs and patient care sites; in addition, the Texas A&M
University System recently opened its Higher Education Center at
McAllen, which is linked to the campus in College Station and will
offer programs in engineering, technology, biomedical sciences,
agriculture, and laboratory sciences; and
WHEREAS, The six higher education institutions in the Rio
Grande Valley, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Texas A&M
University Higher Education Center at McAllen, Texas A&M University
Health Science Center, South Texas College, Texas Southmost
College, and Texas State Technical College, serve a student
population of over 70,000; and
WHEREAS, Major sponsors for the day's legislative event
include the Cities of Brownsville, San Benito, Primera, Palm
Valley, McAllen, and Edinburg, ERO Architects, Gulf Aviation, the
Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority, M&S De Leon Enterprises
LLC, RGV Grant Consultants LLC, Cameron County Drainage District
No. 5, Hidalgo County Precinct No. 4, JL Powers & Associates, Alamo
Chamber of Commerce, the Weslaco, Edinburg, Pharr, Mission,
Harlingen, and San Benito Economic Development Corporations,
Prairie View A&M University, Supporting World Hope, the Rio Grande
Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization, VTX1 Companies, Texas
State Technical College, the Port of Harlingen Authority, Driscoll
Children's Hospital, the Brownsville Community Improvement
Corporation, Killam Development, Texas Gas Service, the Greater
Chamber of Harlingen, the Texas Oil & Gas Association, Texas
Regional Bank, AT&T, and Atlas Hall & Rodriguez, all of which are
promoting greater regional cooperation in the 21st century; and
WHEREAS, A vibrant region with a rich heritage, the Rio
Grande Valley is poised to take advantage of tremendous
opportunities for continued economic development, and it is indeed
most fitting to honor Valley residents for their dedication to
building a bright and prosperous future for the area; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature
hereby recognize February 22, 2023, as Rio Grande Valley Day at the
State Capitol and extend to all participants sincere best wishes
for a productive and enjoyable visit.