TITLE: Recognizing February 3, 2015, as Big Bend Telephone Day at the State Capitol.

SUMMARY: Recognizing February 3, 2015, as Big Bend Telephone Day at the State Capitol.

FULL TEXT:
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. Nev rez 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