SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 324
	WHEREAS, Community and business leaders of Eagle Pass are
	gathering in Austin on March 6 and 7, 2019, to celebrate Eagle
	Pass Legislative Days at the State Capitol; and
	WHEREAS, Located in Maverick County along the United
	States-Mexico border in southwest Texas, Eagle Pass was
	established in 1849 and serves as the county seat; the city was
	originally named El Paso del Águila because of the frequent
	flights of eagles over the area; and
	WHEREAS, Artifacts uncovered throughout Eagle Pass and the
	region attest to the presence of hunter-gatherers in prehistoric
	times; the area was also visited by Spanish explorers and
	settlers, who traversed the Camino Real, later known as Old San
	Antonio Road, in greater numbers than in any other section of the
	state; various expeditions, including that of Alonso de León in
	1690, served to forge the trail and elevate its significance in
	the early history of Texas; and
	WHEREAS, In the tumultuous years of the Civil War, Eagle
	Pass was a trade depot for the Military Board of Texas, and Fort
	Duncan north of the town was occupied by Confederate troops;
	after the fort's abandonment during the war, Native American
	populations seized control of the region, leading to several
	violent skirmishes; and
	WHEREAS, Today, City of Eagle Pass officials are committed
	to working together to create jobs, encourage young people, and
	improve the quality of life in their region; among the
	accomplishments in recent years are a renovated public library,
	revitalized downtown, completion of infrastructure projects at
	ports of entry, upgraded parks with the addition of a skate park,
	and construction of a new public safety building; and
	WHEREAS, The City of Eagle Pass has established a Business &
	Economic Development Committee, which serves as a special
	advisory committee to the mayor and city council; it includes
	nine standing committees and works through collaborative efforts
	with the public and private sector groups to support economic
	development and to attract and retain solid business, industry,
	and trade, as well as affordable housing; specific goals include
	expanding the region's transportation, infrastructure, and
	health care services and the establishment of a four-year college
	to broaden the educational opportunities provided by local
	institutions Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College and
	Southwest Texas Junior College; and
	WHEREAS, With three international bridges, including a
	rail bridge, Eagle Pass and Maverick County have become an
	important port of entry for international commerce that supports
	over $25.2 billion in manufactured goods and averages 10,000
	cars, 700 commercial trucks, and 3,000 pedestrians daily and over
	450,000 rail cars annually; and
	WHEREAS, The city hosted the first Babe Ruth World Series
	last summer with teams from throughout the United States, and the
	Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas provides an important source
	of jobs, revenue, and tourism; visitors to the region can also
	learn about area history at Fort Duncan Park and San Juan Plaza
	and enjoy outdoor recreation at Maverick County Lake; moreover,
	they can stroll the streets of historic downtown Eagle Pass,
	which has been designated as a Texas Main Street City by the Texas
	Historical Commission; and
	WHEREAS, The residents of Eagle Pass, led by Mayor Ramsey
	English-Cantu, Mayor Pro Tem Yolanda Ramon, and city council
	members Rudy Villalpando, Luis Sifuentes, and William "Billy"
	Davis, are justifiably proud of their rich heritage, and it is
	most fitting that they be honored for their contributions to the
	story of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th
	Legislature, hereby recognize March 6 and 7, 2019, as Eagle Pass
	Legislative Days at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting
	delegation sincere best wishes for a meaningful and memorable
	stay in Austin.
	Flores
		________________________________
		President of the Senate
		I hereby certify that the
		above Resolution was adopted by
		the Senate on March 6, 2019.
		________________________________
		Secretary of the Senate
		________________________________
		Member, Texas Senate