TITLE: Recognizing April 14, 2011, as Willacy County Day at the State Capitol.

SUMMARY: Recognizing April 14, 2011, as Willacy County Day at the State Capitol.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Proud residents of Willacy County are gathering at the State Capitol on April 14, 2011, to celebrate Willacy County Day, and this occasion provides a welcome opportunity to recognize the 100th anniversary of the county's founding; and WHEREAS, Located on the Gulf Coast in the Rio Grande Valley, Willacy County was formed in 1911 from parts of Cameron and Hidalgo Counties and also originally included the land that is now Kenedy County; it was named for state legislator John G. Willacy, who introduced the bill that established the county; and WHEREAS, Raymondville, the county seat and largest city, was established by Edward Burleson Raymond in 1904; it is home to the Raymondville Historical Museum and hosts a number of special events throughout the year, including the Willacy County Livestock Show, a Fourth of July celebration, and the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Christmas Parade; and WHEREAS, Lyford is named for William H. Lyford, an attorney for the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad, and it rings in the holiday season with the annual Lyford Christmas Parade and Festival; farther east, the close-knit community of Santa Monica celebrates the annual Santa Monica Fest during the fall to benefit Santa Monica Catholic Church; and WHEREAS, A number of other communities are also named for prominent figures in the county's early history; Lasara was platted in 1924 and was named for Laura Harding and Sarah Gill, wives of early settlers William Harding and Lamar Gill, while San Perlita takes its name from Pyrle Johnson, the wife of the town developer; settled before 1906, Sebastian was first known as Stillman but was renamed around 1912 in honor of John Sebastian, vice president of the Rock Island Railroad Company, which helped to develop the area; other notable communities in the county include Los Coyotes, Porfirio, Port Mansfield, and Willamar; and WHEREAS, Young people in the area benefit from the dedicated efforts of the county's school districts, which include the Raymondville Independent School District, with more than 2,200 students, the Lyford Consolidated Independent School District, serving over 1,500 students, Lasara ISD, with an enrollment of nearly 400, and San Perlita ISD, with approximately 300 pupils; and WHEREAS, Willacy County residents are employed in a range of private-sector and government jobs, and the county's proximity to Mexico and six international bridges makes transportation and commercial trade central components of the local economy; and WHEREAS, Ecotourism and heritage tourism also generate employment and income; Willacy County's ranchlands and coastal habitats include a wide range of birds, mammals, wild grasses, trees, butterflies, and other species; the county has a well-developed hunting and fishing industry and is a premier destination for those seeking to experience the outdoors; "Wild in Willacy" is an annual event held the last week of October to promote awareness of the area's diverse natural offerings and includes tours of private ranches, lectures on birding, cook-offs, musical entertainment, and more; and WHEREAS, One of the hubs of tourism activity is Port Mansfield, which has unique bird-watching opportunities and is an extremely popular fishing center that hosts a well-known fishing tournament each year; the town's harbor office is run by the Willacy County Navigation District, which also oversees land leases and the county's small-craft airport; and WHEREAS, Willacy County's rich natural environment and its resourceful and productive citizenry make it a great place to live and work, and it is a pleasure to honor this South Texas county as it reflects on a century of growth and progress; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby recognize April 14, 2011, as Willacy County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere best wishes for an enjoyable and rewarding visit to Austin. Lozano Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1326 was adopted by the House on April 14, 2011, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House