SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 196
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 State of Texas, 88th
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.
LaMantia, Hinojosa, Zaffirini
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 22, 2023.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate
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Member, Texas Senate
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Member, Texas Senate