2025S0277-1 03/24/25
By: Kolkhorst S.R. No. 339
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
recognize Texas Electric Cooperatives, Incorporated, on the
occasion of its 85th anniversary; and
WHEREAS, In the early 1930s, only one in 10 American farms
benefited from electricity, and economic opportunity remained
limited in rural communities that relied on kerosene lamps and
other physical sources of power to operate machinery and navigate
at night; the establishment of the Rural Electrification
Administration by President Franklin Roosevelt empowered farmers
and ranchers to aggregate their resources and improve their
quality of life through the creation of nonprofit electric
utilities owned and controlled by local residents; and
WHEREAS, In 1940, rural leaders chartered the Texas Power
Reserve Electric Cooperative, the forerunner of Texas Electric
Cooperatives, by purchasing wholesale electricity on behalf of
local distribution cooperatives to maximize the buying power of
rural communities and lower the cost of service for rural
consumers; and
WHEREAS, Over the past 85 years, Texas Electric
Cooperatives has helped strengthen member organizations through
the provision of safety training, governmental relations
services, strategic sourcing agreements for utility equipment
and technology, and the distribution of electrical system
components; its long-running communications publication, Texas
Co-op Power, reaches more than four million readers every month;
and
WHEREAS, Texas Electric Cooperatives comprises 76
electric cooperatives that are guided by the principles of
cooperation, democratic member control, and concern for
community to provide energy to rural and suburban areas in 241
counties, and it is truly fitting to recognize this exemplary
organization for promoting strength and resilience in meeting
the energy, information, and materials needs of rural Texans;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th
Legislature, hereby commend Texas Electric Cooperatives,
Incorporated, for its long history of success in powering Texas
communities and extend to its members congratulations on the
organization's 85th anniversary; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
the organization as an expression of esteem from the Texas
Senate.