H.R. No. 156

	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Willacy County, located in the Lower Rio Grande
	Valley in South Texas, under the leadership of its Commissioners
	Court, has built a diversified local economy while also promoting
	the conservation of its abundant natural resources; and
	WHEREAS, Home to a strong agricultural industry, Willacy
	County has supported Bermuda onion farming since 1912 and counts
	sorghum among its other most important crops; oil and natural gas
	production continue to further contribute to the county's economy
	over 73 years, and a recent over $20 million capital investment in
	drilling for natural gas underscores the continuing importance of
	that industry to the county's economic progress; and
	WHEREAS, Other sources of energy are also being developed;
	the county welcomed the completion of two wind farms, titled Los
	Vientos I, II and Magic Valley and built by E.On Climate &
	Renewables, Inc., and Duke Energy, Inc., which are generating more
	than 600 megawatts in green source energy serving South and Central
	Texas as a long-term source of revenue to meet energy demands; in
	addition, Willacy County has become home to the corporate
	headquarters of Valley Telephone Cooperative, which provides
	access to television entertainment, telephone services, and the
	Internet; the location of several detention centers in the county
	has added still more jobs to the local economy; and
	WHEREAS, Known for the richness of its plant and animal life,
	Willacy County contains a wide variety of flora and fauna that have
	received special protection, specifically recognizing the "ocelot"
	on the federal highly endangered list, a cat species with fewer than
	50 in population habitat known to the area; and
	WHEREAS, Willacy County and its leaders aim to promote
	ecotourism for world visitors and residents alike to also enjoy the
	Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, the Tieniente and East Lake
	sections of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge,
	the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, and the Padre Island
	National Seashore--Laguna Madre; moreover, development of the
	Coastal Land Resource Center, being developed on donated property
	by Edward B. Raymond Heirs, and Herman J. Wetegrove family and
	structural improvements to the Laguna Madre at Port Mansfield,
	titled Laguna Point Recreation Area, are two major projects aimed
	to promote tourism, environmental education, and recreation of the
	area's great outdoors, with completion dates set for 2014; and
	WHEREAS, The county takes pride in its partnership with the
	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to promote ecotourism and manage and
	preserve its pristine environments; and
	WHEREAS, Willacy County and its cities and community leaders
	work together to build and develop its community human capital by
	joining partnerships, by investment, and in alliance with higher
	education institutions for college, satellite, and classroom
	coursework learning to provide its citizens access to education
	resources; and
	WHEREAS, Willacy County residents are working together to
	build a bright future for themselves and their children, and it is
	indeed fitting to honor them for their numerous accomplishments;
	now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
	Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby recognize Willacy County
	Commissioners Court members of 2008 and 2009 and current
	Commissioners Court elected officials for charting myriad paths
	toward economic growth, environmental sustainability, and
	community progress and extend to its public officials, its business
	and civic leaders, and all who call the county home sincere best
	wishes for continued success.
	Guillen
	______________________________
	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.R. No. 156 was adopted by the House on July
	29, 2013, by a non-record vote.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House