87S20288 TBO-F     By: Zaffirini, et al. S.C.R. No. 2       CONCURRENT 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 Brownsville, 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; there are three higher education   institutions in Laredo, namely Texas A&M International University   and Laredo College, which are designated Hispanic-Serving   Institutions, and The University of Texas System Multi-Institution   Center; 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 87th Legislature of the State of Texas,   2nd 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.