Recognizing the Texas-Mexico border as vital to the economy, education, and character of the state.

89(R) SR 394 - Enrolled version - Bill Text

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 394

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 cross 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

trade port in North America, ranking first in the nation for

total trade in 2024; across the United States, the Pharr-Reynosa

International Bridge is the 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 in Maverick County 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 five times, Edinburg has won four times, and Brownsville

has won two times; other recipients of this prestigious

designation include Harlingen, Hidalgo, Laredo, McAllen,

Mission, 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, the Resaca de la Palma State Park, 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

34,000 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 Education & Research Center at Laredo; 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 State of Texas, 89th

Legislature, 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.

Zaffirini, Blanco, Gutierrez

Hinojosa of Hidalgo, Hinojosa of Nueces

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Member, Texas Senate

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Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate

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Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the

above Resolution was adopted by

the Senate on June 1, 2025.

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Secretary of the Senate