[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 109 (Thursday, September 7, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1654]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING SESQUICENTENNIAL OF ATASCOSA COUNTY

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                           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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