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Tribute to the Sesquicentennial of Atascosa County

Date: Feb. 17, 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Arts, Entertainment, and History


TRIBUTE TO THE SESQUICENTENNIAL OF ATASCOSA COUNTY -- (Extensions of Remarks - February 17, 2006)
SPEECH OF HON. HENRY CUELLAR OF TEXAS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2006

* Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the sesquicentennial of Atascosa County, which is a county in the 28th district of Texas and was founded in 1856. This year marks the 150th anniversary of Atascosa's beginnings and we will kick off a year long celebration at the annual Tux and Boots Ball on Saturday, January 28, in Pleasanton, TX.

* Mr. Speaker, Atascosa County is south of San Antonio on the Rio Grande Plain region of south central Texas. The first census taken in Atascosa County was in 1860 and counted 1,578 people. Today, Atascosa County's population is at more than 43,000 residents.

* The earliest schools in Atascosa County were organized around the time of the Civil War. By 1914, there were 37 schools in the county. By the 1940s the school districts had begun to consolidate. The total number of persons over the age of 25 who had completed 4 years of high school rose from 1,300 in 1950 to 2,083 in 1960. In addition, the number of residents with some college rose from 395 in 1950 to 473 in 1960. By the year 2000, when the census counted 38,628 people living in Atascosa County, over 65 percent of residents age 25 and older had 4 years of high school. Agriculture, government services, and some light manufacturing are key elements of the area's economy. The largest communities in the county are Jourdanton, the county seat, and Pleasanton, the county's largest town. Other communities include Campbelton, Poteet, Lytle, Charlotte, Christine, Leming, McCoy, and Peggy. Some of the county's wonderful attractions include the Poteet Strawberry Festival, the Jourdanton Days Celebration, and the Cowboy Homecoming and Rodeo in Pleasanton. As we look back on the last 150 years with pride, we also look forward to a promising future for Atascosa.

* Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Atascosa County on their 150th anniversary and all of their accomplishments.

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