H.R. No. 203
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, February 10, 2023, marks the 175th anniversary of
  the founding of Starr County; and
         WHEREAS, Located in South Texas along the Rio Grande and the
  U.S. border with Mexico, Starr County was visited by Spanish
  explorers in the 17th century, but it was not until 1749 that the
  Spanish crown issued land grants to settle the region; in 1763, the
  first settlement was made by Francisco de la Garza Martinéz, who
  founded Rancho Carnestolendas; another early settlement was
  established later that year by the Saenz family; by 1850, Los Saenz
  had been renamed Roma-Los Saenz and was a thriving community with an
  economy based on cattle and sheep ranching; and
         WHEREAS, For a time following the Texas Revolution, both
  Mexico and the Republic of Texas laid claim to the area, which
  became part of Nueces County after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
  ended the Mexican War in 1848; that year, the county was organized
  and named for James Harper Starr; and
         WHEREAS, Rio Grande City, the county seat, is located in the
  heart of Los Caminos del Rio Heritage Corridor, which contains
  numerous architectural and historical treasures from the 18th and
  19th centuries; Roma, the second largest city in the county, is one
  of the best remaining Spanish colonial townsites in the lower Rio
  Grande Valley; the city was designated as a national historic
  district and was used in the filming of Viva Zapata, starring Marlon
  Brando; other notable towns include Escobares and La Grulla; and
         WHEREAS, Residents and visitors alike benefit from the
  recreational opportunities afforded by Las Palomas State Wildlife
  Management Area and Falcon International Reservoir as well as
  year-round hunting; in addition, the county hosts a number of
  annual events, including the Starr County Fair and the Fourth of
  July Parade and Festival, held in Rio Grande City; and
         WHEREAS, The people of Starr County share a rich and colorful
  heritage, and they may indeed take great pride in their home as they
  celebrate this milestone anniversary; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
  Legislature hereby commemorate the 175th anniversary of Starr
  County and extend to its citizens sincere best wishes for the
  future.
 
  Guillen
 
  ______________________________
  Speaker of the House     
 
         I certify that H.R. No. 203 was adopted by the House on March
  7, 2023, by a non-record vote.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House