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| 6 | 7 | | R E S O L U T I O N |
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| 7 | 8 | | WHEREAS, Proud residents of Somerset are gathering in Austin |
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| 8 | 9 | | to celebrate Somerset Day at the State Capitol on March 7, 2025; and |
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| 9 | 10 | | WHEREAS, Located just south of San Antonio, Somerset has long |
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| 10 | 11 | | distinguished itself as a hub for economic development in South |
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| 11 | 12 | | Texas; the area experienced a transformative oil boom in 1913, when |
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| 12 | 13 | | Carl Kurz struck oil while drilling for water, and it later became |
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| 13 | 14 | | home to the largest shallow oil field in the world; over the years, |
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| 14 | 15 | | two refineries and a pipeline to San Antonio were established in the |
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| 15 | 16 | | community, attracting workers and businesses to the prosperous |
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| 16 | 17 | | area; and |
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| 17 | 18 | | WHEREAS, In addition, the city also benefited from the coal |
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| 18 | 19 | | mining and agriculture industries during the early 20th century; |
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| 19 | 20 | | the local lignite coal mines provided numerous jobs, and the |
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| 20 | 21 | | Somerset Fruit Growers Exchange, which was established in 1931, |
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| 21 | 22 | | helped to facilitate fruit and vegetable farming; and |
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| 22 | 23 | | WHEREAS, In 1920, five area school districts consolidated to |
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| 23 | 24 | | form the Somerset Independent School District, which has grown to |
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| 24 | 25 | | serve students across Bexar and Atascosa Counties; since its |
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| 25 | 26 | | inception, the district has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to |
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| 26 | 27 | | fostering academic excellence and supporting the wider community; |
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| 27 | 28 | | and |
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| 28 | 29 | | WHEREAS, The City of Somerset was officially incorporated in |
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| 29 | 30 | | 1973 with a mayor-council government to guide infrastructure |
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| 30 | 31 | | development, small business growth, and the enhancement of public |
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| 31 | 32 | | services; today, the city remains a thriving community of farmers, |
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| 32 | 33 | | ranchers, and oilfield workers, and its residents embrace |
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| 33 | 34 | | opportunities created by its proximity to San Antonio; and |
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| 34 | 35 | | WHEREAS, Celebrating their rich history as they work together |
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| 35 | 36 | | to build an even brighter future, the citizens of Somerset may take |
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| 36 | 37 | | justifiable pride in the important role their community continues |
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| 37 | 38 | | to play in the story of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it |
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| 38 | 39 | | RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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| 39 | 40 | | Legislature hereby recognize March 7, 2025, as Somerset Day at the |
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| 40 | 41 | | State Capitol and extend a warm welcome to the visiting delegation. |
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