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.