H.R. No. 216

	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, For more than 50 years, Big Bend Telephone Company
	of Alpine has provided outstanding telecommunications services to
	the Big Bend region; and
	WHEREAS, The company pioneered telecommunications throughout
	the 17,000 square miles of its sparsely populated service area,
	only 16 percent of which has cellular coverage; this area includes
	485 miles of the Texas-Mexico border and almost 25 percent of the
	nation's southern border; and
	WHEREAS, Recently, BBT provided new infrastructure and
	services that allowed the opening of Boquillas Crossing as an
	unmanned border checkpoint; the reopening of this border crossing,
	which is the only one in the 300 miles between Presidio and Del Rio,
	will contribute to economic development in the area and will be an
	important boon to tourism; and
	WHEREAS, In recognition of this unique and innovative
	project, BBT was presented with a "Special Recognition: Homeland
	Security" award at the Rural Broadband Association's 2014 Smart
	Rural Community Awards event held at the National Telephone
	Cooperative Association's fall conference in San Francisco; and
	WHEREAS, Big Bend Telephone Company has made a crucial and
	lasting contribution to this state and nation, and it is truly
	deserving of special commendation; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
	Legislature hereby recognize February 3, 2015, as Big Bend
	Telephone Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting guests
	sincere best wishes for a meaningful and memorable stay in Austin;
	and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
	prepared for Big Bend Telephone Company as an expression of high
	regard by the Texas House of Representatives.
	Nevárez
	______________________________
	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.R. No. 216 was adopted by the House on
	February 3, 2015, by a non-record vote.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House