SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 196
         WHEREAS, A distinguished delegation from South Texas is
  visiting Austin on February 22, 2023, to celebrate Rio Grande
  Valley Day at the State Capitol; and
 
         WHEREAS, Enjoying a strategic location on the Gulf of
  Mexico and along the Mexican border, the Rio Grande Valley was an
  important ranching region when Texas became the nation's 28th
  state in 1845; over time, the economy shifted from ranching to
  agriculture, and the Valley became the state's center of citrus
  and vegetable production; and
 
         WHEREAS, In the 1960s, industry flourished and
  international trade became increasingly prominent; the region
  has contributed significantly to the tremendous increase in
  commerce across the United States-Mexico border, with more than
  1,152,000 trucks, 11.7 million cars carrying 24.3 million
  passengers, 28,000 buses carrying over 300,000 passengers, and
  6.2 million pedestrians crossing Rio Grande Valley ports of entry
  each year; commerce across the border averages more than $140
  million in goods and services per day, with over $51 billion in
  commercial trade per year flowing across various land ports of
  entry; the Rio Grande Valley is an economic powerhouse for the
  State of Texas with approximately $12.5 billion in taxable sales
  recorded in reporting year 2022; and
 
         WHEREAS, The Valley has 1.4 million residents, with
  approximately 600,000 individuals under the age of 25, and local
  and state officials have focused on the need to expand access to
  higher education and health care, strengthen the workforce,
  increase transportation and ports of entry infrastructure, and
  increase funding for public education; The University of Texas
  Rio Grande Valley serves some 30,000 students; the UTRGV School
  of Medicine is in its seventh year of operation with numerous GME
  programs and patient care sites; in addition, the Texas A&M
  University System recently opened its Higher Education Center at
  McAllen, which is linked to the campus in College Station and
  will offer programs in engineering, technology, biomedical
  sciences, agriculture, and laboratory sciences; and
 
         WHEREAS, The six higher education institutions in the Rio
  Grande Valley, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Texas
  A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen, Texas A&M
  University Health Science Center, South Texas College, Texas
  Southmost College, and Texas State Technical College, serve a
  student population of over 70,000; and
 
         WHEREAS, Major sponsors for the day's legislative event
  include the Cities of Brownsville, San Benito, Primera, Palm
  Valley, McAllen, and Edinburg, ERO Architects, Gulf Aviation,
  the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority, M&S De Leon
  Enterprises LLC, RGV Grant Consultants LLC, Cameron County
  Drainage District No. 5, Hidalgo County Precinct No. 4, JL
  Powers & Associates, Alamo Chamber of Commerce, the Weslaco,
  Edinburg, Pharr, Mission, Harlingen, and San Benito Economic
  Development Corporations, Prairie View A&M University,
  Supporting World Hope, the Rio Grande Valley Metropolitan
  Planning Organization, VTX1 Companies, Texas State Technical
  College, the Port of Harlingen Authority, Driscoll Children's
  Hospital, the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation,
  Killam Development, Texas Gas Service, the Greater Chamber of
  Harlingen, the Texas Oil & Gas Association, Texas Regional Bank,
  AT&T, and Atlas Hall & Rodriguez, all of which are promoting
  greater regional cooperation in the 21st century; and
 
         WHEREAS, A vibrant region with a rich heritage, the Rio
  Grande Valley is poised to take advantage of tremendous
  opportunities for continued economic development, and it is
  indeed most fitting to honor Valley residents for their
  dedication to building a bright and prosperous future for the
  area; now, therefore, be it
 
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
  Legislature, hereby recognize February 22, 2023, as Rio Grande
  Valley Day at the State Capitol and extend to all participants
  sincere best wishes for a productive and enjoyable visit.
 
  LaMantia, Hinojosa, Zaffirini
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on February 22, 2023.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate