TITLE: Honoring the City of Penitas.

SUMMARY: Honoring the City of Penitas.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Many proud residents of Penitas traveled to the State Capitol on January 30, 2013, and the visit provided a showcase for the city's rich heritage and vibrant features; and WHEREAS, According to local tradition, Penitas was founded by a group of survivors of the Panfilo de Narvaez expedition of 1520; formed to supplant Hernando Cortez and his forces in Mexico, the expedition failed when Narvaez and his troops were defeated in battle and imprisoned; after being released the next year, Narvaez embarked on a second expedition to Florida, leaving behind Fray Zamora and several of his officers, who instead opted to settle in a site along the Rio Grande; Zamora's group befriended the local Calero Indians and began homesteading the land, which they named Penitas, meaning "little stones"; today, this moment in history is commemorated with a Texas Historical Marker; and WHEREAS, Now home to some 7,500 residents, Penitas is a fast-growing city that benefits from the able leadership of Mayor Marcos Ochoa, city manager Noe Cavazos, and the members of the city council, mayor pro tempore Antonio Flores, Jr., Tomas Cedillo, Jose Roel Flores, and Alejandro Guajardo; through joint efforts with agencies and organizations, these dedicated public servants are working to foster economic growth and enhance the quality of life of their fellow citizens; and WHEREAS, Visitors and residents of Penitas enjoy its many recreational opportunities, including a number of public parks and historical sites; each fall, people from throughout the area gather together for the Penitas White Wing Festival, a celebration hosted by the City of Penitas and the White Wing Festival Committee, which draws crowds of thousands for such activities as a cook-off, a 5K race, a beauty pageant, a car show, and numerous live musical performances; proceeds from this event help finance service projects; and WHEREAS, Heirs to a colorful history and a lively culture, the citizens of Penitas may indeed take great pride in their community as they look ahead to a future bright with promise; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby recognize the history and achievements of the City of Penitas and extend to its residents sincere best wishes for the future. Longoria Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 423 was adopted by the House on February 28, 2013, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House