SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 424
	WHEREAS, On March 25, 2015, proud citizens of two historic
	West Texas counties are gathering in Austin to celebrate Ward and
	Winkler Counties Day at the State Capitol; and
	WHEREAS, The territory of Ward County was originally home
	to the Apache and Comanche Indians, and in 1881, the Texas and
	Pacific Railway built a line through the region, with stations at
	Barstow and Monahans; the county was created out of part of Tom
	Green County in 1887 and named for Thomas "Peg Leg" Ward, a
	soldier in the Texas Revolution who lost his leg to a cannonball;
	a center for ranching and farming in its early years, the county
	was transformed by the discovery of oil and gas in the 1920s;
	during World War II, it was the site of Pyote Army Air Field, and
	in 1957, the Monahans Sandhills State Historic Park was created
	in the county's northeast corner; and
	WHEREAS, Monahans, the Ward County seat, was founded in
	1880 by an Irishman named John Thomas Monahan, an employee of the
	Texas and Pacific who found water at the site, and it was
	incorporated in 1928; situated at the hub of the Permian Basin,
	the town boasts a welcoming business environment facilitated by
	easy access to two railroads and two interstate highways; today,
	the area is stronger and busier than ever, with a sharp increase
	in oil drilling and a strong commitment by city and county
	officials to upgrade the county's infrastructure and accommodate
	the growing need for housing, industry, and retail; and
	WHEREAS, The Anasazi were the earliest known people in the
	Winkler County area, and then in the 1880s, cattlemen established
	large ranches on free state land; Winkler County was carved out
	of Tom Green County and named after Clinton W. Winkler, a state
	legislator and judge; in 1910, the county was officially
	organized and the town of Kermit, named after Theodore
	Roosevelt's son, was chosen as county seat; the oil boom of the
	1920s brought so many people that residents lived in tents and
	makeshift shelters, and a new town, Winkler, sprang up; when the
	postal authorities advised that there was another town with that
	name, it was swiftly shortened to Wink; and
	WHEREAS, During the early boom years, Wink acquired a wild
	and freewheeling reputation; now, although its economy is still
	based on the petroleum industry and ranching, it is better known
	as the hometown of music legend Roy Orbison; his first band, the
	Wink Westerners, made its radio debut on Kermit station KERB, and
	the Roy Orbison Museum is today one of the town's interesting
	attractions; and
	WHEREAS, These two storied counties hold a notable place in
	frontier history, and through the years, their towns have
	demonstrated a unique High Plains flair; the residents of both
	counties can indeed take great pride in their colorful past as
	they look forward to a bright future; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th
	Legislature, hereby recognize March 25, 2015, as Ward and Winkler
	Counties Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting
	delegations sincere best wishes for an informative and enjoyable
	visit to Austin.
	Perry, Seliger
		________________________________
		President of the Senate
		I hereby certify that the
		above Resolution was adopted by
		the Senate on March 25, 2015.
		________________________________
		Secretary of the Senate
		________________________________
		Member, Texas Senate
		________________________________
		Member, Texas Senate