TITLE: Recognizing April 24, 2025, as La Salle County Day at the State Capitol.

SUMMARY: Recognizing April 24, 2025, as La Salle County Day at the State Capitol.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Proud residents of La Salle County are gathering in Austin on April 24, 2025, to celebrate La Salle County Day at the State Capitol; and WHEREAS, Situated in South Texas and traversed by the Nueces and Frio Rivers, the area that is now La Salle County has been inhabited for approximately 11,000 years; in the 1850s, the U.S. Army briefly operated the Fort Ewell outpost on the road from San Antonio to Laredo, and by 1871, some 60 people lived in the nearby town of Guajoco; a number of ranchers moved into the region, and in 1880, the county was formally organized, with Stuart's Rancho near Guajoco designated as its first seat of government; soon after, the International-Great Northern Railroad extended its line into the county, with landowner Joseph Cotulla donating land to encourage the railroad to pass through a townsite he was developing; over the years, Cotulla became the most populous town in the county, and the county seat was eventually moved there; and WHEREAS, During the first decades of the 20th century, the introduction of commercial agriculture ushered in a new period of development, and national advertising campaigns attracted numerous settlers, more than doubling the county's population to over 4,700 by 1910; in addition to cattle ranching, lucrative crops such as onions, peaches, pears, plums, figs, and cotton became staples of the local economy; in 1940, the first oil well was drilled, and production continued to rise in the succeeding decades, with nearly two million barrels of crude oil produced in 1990; and WHEREAS, Today, La Salle County has a population of more than 6,600; the majority of the region's residents are concentrated in the cities of Cotulla, which is home to the county's courthouse and airport, and Encinal; since 2008, shale oil production has further bolstered economic conditions; and WHEREAS, Even as they celebrate their unique heritage, the citizens of La Salle County are looking ahead to the opportunities of the future, and they may reflect with pride on their contributions to the story of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas Legislature hereby recognize April 24, 2025, as La Salle County Day at the State Capitol and extend a warm welcome to the visiting delegation. Guillen Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 757 was adopted by the House on April 17, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 133, Nays 7, 2 present, not voting. Chief Clerk of the House