89R14480 AMB-D
By: Guillen H.R. No. 299
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A distinguished delegation from South Texas is
visiting Austin on February 19, 2025, 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 1.15 million 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 and averaging 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 $47.16 billion in taxable sales
recorded in reporting year 2024; and
WHEREAS, The Valley has around 1.4 million residents, with
approximately 565,000 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 35,000 students; the UTRGV School of
Medicine is in its ninth year of operation with numerous GME
programs and patient care sites; and
WHEREAS, The six higher education institutions in the Rio
Grande Valley, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, the Texas
A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen, the Texas A&M
University Health Science Center, South Texas College, Texas
Southmost College, and Texas State Technical College, serve a
student population of more than 100,000; and
WHEREAS, Major sponsors for the day's legislative event
include the Texas Regional Bank, UTRGV, the Edinburg Economic
Development Corporation, Linebarger Attorneys at Law, Charter
Communications, the City of Edinburg, Texas Gas Service, the Texas
International Produce Association, AEP, Raise Your Hand Texas,
NextDecade, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance, and AT&T, 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 House of Representatives of the 89th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize February 19, 2025, as Rio Grande
Valley Day at the State Capitol and extend to all participants
sincere best wishes for a productive and enjoyable visit.