TITLE: Recognizing April 6, 2011, as Atascosa County Day at the State Capitol.

SUMMARY: Recognizing April 6, 2011, as Atascosa County Day at the State Capitol.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, On April 6, 2011, residents from across Atascosa County are traveling to the State Capitol to celebrate their community's heritage and to share with fellow Texans their history, traditions, and achievements; and WHEREAS, The name Atascosa, derived from the Spanish word for boggy terrain, was used to describe the area as early as 1788; during the first part of the 19th century, this grassy prairie region of South Texas attracted Spanish, Mexican, and Anglo-American settlers, and by the time of the Texas Revolution, its ranching industry was flourishing; and WHEREAS, In 1856, the region was sufficiently populated to be sectioned off from Bexar County; the county seat, originally at Navatasco, was later permanently moved to the centrally located town of Jourdanton; and WHEREAS, Situated near the famous Camino Real, the county has long benefited from its proximity to major transportation arteries linking it with the Gulf Coast, the Rio Grande Valley, and Mexico, as well as other major population centers; and WHEREAS, Atascosa County enjoys the economic benefits reaped by an abundance of natural resources and, blessed with productive range and irrigated farmland, the area is known for its agricultural industries; and WHEREAS, Proud of its ranching heritage, Pleasanton, the county's trading center, bills itself as the birthplace of the cowboy, a designation symbolized by a large bronze statue in front of city hall; in nearby Poteet, known to many as the Strawberry Capital of the World, a seven-foot, 1,600-pound monument to the fruit graces the front lawn of city hall, and a Strawberry Festival, the fourth-largest agricultural festival in the state, takes place in April; and WHEREAS, Other resources such as oil and gas also play a significant role in the county's ongoing development, but the most important asset in the area's increasingly diverse economy is undoubtedly its industrious citizenry; and WHEREAS, The residents of Atascosa County have made many notable contributions to the economy and culture of Texas, and they may take justifiable pride in the place that they call home; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby recognize April 6, 2011, as Atascosa County Day at the State Capitol and extend a warm welcome to all visitors from that fine county. Aliseda Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 581 was adopted by the House on March 31, 2011, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House