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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Willacy County located in Lower Rio Grande Valley in |
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South Texas in leadership of its Commissioners Court has built a |
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diversified local economy while also promoting the conservation of |
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its abundant natural resources; and |
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WHEREAS, Home to a strong agricultural industry, Willacy |
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County has supported Bermuda onion farming since 1912 and counts |
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sorghum among its other most important crops; oil and natural gas |
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production continue to further contribute to the county's economy |
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over 73 years, and a recent over $20 million capital investment in |
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drilling for natural gas underscores the continuing importance of |
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that industry to the county's economic progress; and |
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WHEREAS, Other sources of energy are also being developed; |
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the county welcomed the completion of two wind farms titled, Los |
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Vientos I, II and Magic Valley built by E.On Climate & Renewables, |
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Inc, and Duke Energy, Inc. are generating more than 600 megawatts in |
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green source energy serving South and Central Texas as a long-term |
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source of revenue to meet energy demands. In addition, Willacy |
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County has become home to the corporate headquarters of Valley |
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Telephone Cooperative, which provides access to television |
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entertainment, telephone services, and the Internet; the location |
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of several detention centers in the county has added still more jobs |
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to the local economy; and |
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WHEREAS, Known for the richness of its plant and animal life, |
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Willacy County contains a wide variety of flora and faunavar have |
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received special protection specifically recognizing the "ocelot" |
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on the federal highly endangered list, a cat species with less than |
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50 in population habitat known to the area; and |
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WHEREAS, Willacy County and its leaders aim to promote |
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ecotourism as for world visitors and residents alike to also enjoy |
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the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, the Tieniente and East Lake |
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sections of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge, |
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the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, and the Padre Island |
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National Seashore--Laguna Madre; moreover, development of the |
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Coastal Land Resource Center being developed on donated property by |
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Edward B. Raymond Heirs, and Herman J. Wetegrove family and |
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structural improvements to the Laguna Madre at Port Mansfield, |
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titled Laguna Point Recreation Area as two major projects aimed to |
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promote tourism, environmental education and recreation of area's |
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great outdoors with completion dates set for 2014; and |
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WHEREAS; the county takes pride in partnership with the U.S. |
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Fish and Wildlife Service to promote ecotourism, manage and |
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preserve its pristine environments; |
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WHEREAS, Willacy County, and its cities and community leaders |
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work together to build and develop its community human capital by |
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joining partnership, investment and in alliance with higher |
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education institutions for college, satellite and classroom |
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coursework learning to provide it citizens access to education |
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resources; and |
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WHEREAS, Willacy County residents are working together to |
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build a bright future for themselves and their children, and it is |
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indeed fitting to honor them for their numerous accomplishments; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby recognize Willacy County |
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Commissioners Court members of 2008, 2009 and current Commissioners |
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Court elected officials for charting myriad paths toward economic |
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growth, environmental sustainability and community progress and |
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extend to its public officials, its business and civic leaders, and |
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all who call the county home sincere best wishes for continued |
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success. |