TITLE: Recognizing April 2, 2025, as Val Verde County-Del Rio Day at the State Capitol.

SUMMARY: Recognizing April 2, 2025, as Val Verde County-Del Rio Day at the State Capitol.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Residents of Val Verde County and the city of Del Rio are gathering in Austin on April 2, 2025, to celebrate Val Verde County-Del Rio Day at the State Capitol; and WHEREAS, The earliest inhabitants of the region resided in the Lower Pecos Canyon, near present-day Comstock, between 6,000 and 10,000 years ago, and they left behind numerous cave paintings and artifacts; in 1535, Spanish explorer  lvar N ez Cabeza de Vaca crossed what is now known as the Devils River, an area that was then home to the Lipan Apache, Coahuiltecan, Jumano, and Tamaulipan people and was later frequented by the Comanche; and WHEREAS, The community of San Felipe Del Rio, which later adopted the shortened name of Del Rio, was established in 1868, and Val Verde County was organized in 1885; that same year, the colorful Judge Roy Bean was elected justice of the peace in Langtry, where he became known as "the Law West of the Pecos," making his distinctive rulings from the Jersey Lilly Saloon; and WHEREAS, Since its earliest days, Val Verde County has been a center for sheep and goat ranching, and the wool and mohair industries continue to be central to its economy; other important employers include the National Park Service, the U.S. Border Patrol, and Laughlin Air Force Base, the largest pilot training facility in the U.S. Air Force; and WHEREAS, Tourism and trade with Mexico are also important to the county; opportunities for boating, fishing, birding, and hiking are found at the Amistad National Recreation Area, and the Whitehead Memorial Museum in Del Rio and the Judge Roy Bean Visitor Center in Langtry attract visitors interested in the heritage of the county's frontier days; in addition, the Laughlin Heritage Foundation Museum educates the public on the significance of air power in national security; and WHEREAS, Celebrating their rich history as they work to build an even brighter future, the people of Val Verde County may take great pride in the important role their unique area continues to play in 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 2, 2025, as Val Verde County-Del Rio Day at the State Capitol and extend a warm welcome to the visiting delegation. Morales of Maverick Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 650 was adopted by the House on April 2, 2025, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House