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Honoring Sesquicentennial Of Atascosa County

Date: Sept. 7, 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Oil and Gas Agriculture and Food


HONORING SESQUICENTENNIAL OF ATASCOSA COUNTY -- (Extensions of Remarks - September 07, 2006)

SPEECH OF HON. HENRY CUELLAR OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2006

* Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the sesquicentennial of Atascosa County, which resides within the 28th District of Texas. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of Atascosa County.

* Atascosa County had its beginnings after the Texas Revolution, when several land grants were given out to notable Texans such as Jose Antonio Navarro that marked extensive colonization in the area in 1853. The first county seat, Navatasco, was established in 1857 on land donated by Navarro. Many of the new settlers were recent immigrants from Mexico, Germany, and England. The early years of the twentieth century brought many changes to Atascosa County. Several railroads were built that helped connect the towns of Leming, Pleasanton, McCoy, Charlotte, and Hindes. In 1910, the residents of Atascosa County voted to officially make Jourdanton the county seat.

* Agriculture is a vital part of Atascosa County with a wide variety of agricultural products ranging from livestock to strawberries. In 2002, there were over 1,539 farms and ranches covering 669,890 acres, 52% of which were devoted to pasture, 33% to crops, and 12% to woodlands. In that year alone, local farmers and ranchers earned $51,808,000, with livestock sales accounting for $34,534,000 of that total. Oil and gas also continue to be a leading industry in the county, with over 1,236,387 barrels of oil produced in 1990. By the end of 2004, over 149,778,538 barrels of oil have been produced in Atascosa County. The largest communities in the county are Jourdanton, Pleasanton, Campbelton, Poteet, Lytle, Charlotte, Christine, Leming, McCoy, and Peggy. Some of the county's wonderful attractions include the famous Poteet Strawberry Festival, the Jourdanton Days Celebration, and the Cowboy Homecoming and Rodeo in Pleasanton. As we look back on the past 150 years with pride, we also look forward to a very promising future for Atascosa County.

* Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have had this time to honor Atascosa County on their 150th anniversary, and I thank you for this time.

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