Bill Text: TX SR52 | 2021 | 87th Legislature 1st Special Session | Introduced

Texas Senate Resolution 52 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Recognizing that the Texas-Mexico border is vital to the economy, education, and character of our state, and that the cities and counties along the Texas-Mexico border are vibrant, prosperous, diverse, and safe communities.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (N/A - Dead) 2021-08-06 - Received by the Secretary of the Senate [SR52 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-SR52-Introduced.html



	By: Zaffirini	S.R. No. 52



	SENATE RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, The Texas-Mexico border spans 14 counties in the
	State of Texas, and approximately 10 percent of the state's
	population resides in a Texas-Mexico border county; and
	WHEREAS, Millions of people rely on crossing the border to
	access education, health care, retail, and other service
	industry necessities, and these activities have a positive
	effect on the economic stability of the region; the border
	generated more than $350 billion in annual gross domestic product
	as of 2019, and trade within the region represents more than 5
	percent of Texas' gross domestic product; and
	WHEREAS, In 2018, trade through the El Paso port of entry
	affected approximately 165,000 net jobs in Texas and $25 billion
	in gross domestic product; moreover, Port Laredo is the largest
	inland trade port along the border, ranking third in the nation
	for total trade in May 2021; across the United States, the
	Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge is the second largest
	produce-crossing land port, ensuring the efficient delivery of
	fresh fruits and vegetables to all Americans; and
	WHEREAS, The Texas-Mexico border is a vibrant, thriving,
	multicultural region that contributes to the richness and
	diversity of our state and country; the majority of area
	residents are Americans of at least partial Mexican descent, and
	the tri-national region includes tribal nations such as the
	Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas and Ysleta del Sur Pueblo of
	El Paso; and
	WHEREAS, Border communities have long been recognized for
	their steadfast commitment to safety; countless generations of
	Texans have chosen to rear their families along the Texas-Mexico
	border due to its peaceful community, and some of the safest
	cities in the country include Brownsville, Eagle Pass, Del Rio,
	Laredo, McAllen, and El Paso, which is known for Fort Bliss and
	its significant military presence; and
	WHEREAS, Multiple cities along the border have been
	honored with the All-American City award; El Paso has won the
	award four times, and Edinburg has won three times; other
	recipients of this prestigious designation include McAllen,
	Mission, Hidalgo, Pharr, and Weslaco; and
	WHEREAS, The Texas-Mexico border features an ecologically
	diverse environment; the region's natural sites include the
	Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, Quinta Mazatlán, the
	Butterfly Center, and Big Bend National Park, which attracts
	numerous species of birds, plants, butterflies, bats, reptiles,
	and ants; in addition, one of the state's symbols, the Texas red
	grapefruit, is grown in the Rio Grande Valley; and
	WHEREAS, Countless Texans benefit from the border region's
	premier educational institutions, which include four-year
	universities, junior colleges, and trade schools; more than
	28,600 students are enrolled in The University of Texas Rio
	Grande Valley, and the UTRGV School of Medicine currently serves
	hundreds of medical students, medical residents, and fellows who
	participate in hospital-based training programs; in Laredo,
	Texas A&M International University and Laredo College are
	designated Hispanic-Serving Institutions; and
	WHEREAS, The Texas-Mexico border region is playing a vital
	role in the story of the Lone Star State, and it is indeed
	deserving of special recognition; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 87th Texas Legislature,
	1st Called Session, hereby recognize that the Texas-Mexico
	border is vital to the economy, education, and character of our
	state, and that the cities and counties along the Texas-Mexico
	border are vibrant, prosperous, diverse, and safe communities.