TITLE: Commemorating the first annual Rio Grande Festival in San Elizario.

SUMMARY: Commemorating the first annual Rio Grande Festival in San Elizario.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society is presenting the first annual Rio Grande Festival in San Elizario on April 28-30, 2017; and WHEREAS, This free celebration commemorates the arrival of the O ate expedition in the El Paso area in the late 16th century; Don Juan de O ate was commissioned by King Philip II of Spain in 1595 to settle the New Mexico region in the name of the crown; in January 1598, O ate embarked on that mission from Santa Barbara, Mexico, leading a group of 400 men and their families across the Chihuahuan Desert; they reached the present-day site of San Elizario three months later, and on April 30, O ate issued an official proclamation, known as La Toma, claiming the land for Spain; and WHEREAS, In addition to a reenactment of that momentous event, the three-day festival will feature a special dinner with entertainment, as well as a host of other family-friendly activities, including daily cultural presentations, live music, and arts and crafts; another major component of the festival is a three-day history conference, the 26th such annual meeting the society has sponsored; more than 30 speakers will be addressing a range of topics, among them such subjects as the O ate expedition, historical preservation, and UNESCO World Heritage sites along the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, the Royal Inland Road, which passed through El Paso del Norte and stretched some 1,600 miles, linking Mexico City with Santa Fe; and WHEREAS, The Rio Grande Festival offers local residents and visitors alike the opportunity to learn more about a significant milestone in the history of Mexico and the American Southwest, and it is a pleasure to pay tribute to this outstanding celebration and the dedicated individuals who have brought it to fruition; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the first annual Rio Grande Festival and extend to the organizers and attendees sincere best wishes for a memorable and enjoyable occasion; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Gonz lez of El Paso Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1520 was adopted by the House on May 4, 2017, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House