[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 51 (Wednesday, April 2, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E473]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   40TH ANNIVERSARY OF NATALIA, TEXAS AND THE 20TH ANNUAL BLUEBONNET 
                                FESTIVAL

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                         HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 2, 2008

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Madam Speaker, I am honored to rise today to recognize 
the 40th anniversary of Natalia, Texas and the 20th Annual Bluebonnet 
Festival, to be held on Saturday, April 5, 2008. The Bluebonnet 
Festival has grown into a homecoming for former residents and others 
who wish to celebrate the incorporation of Natalia, Texas.
  Natalia was founded in 1912 by Dr. Frederick Stark Pearson who named 
the town in honor of his daughter, Natalia Pearson Nicholson. Dr. 
Pearson was the engineer, designer and builder of the Medina Dam, and 
Natalia was established as the headquarters for the irrigation 
district. Destined to be the ``Queen City of the Southwest,'' Natalia 
was quickly built with macadamized streets, electric power and water 
works. Today Natalia continues to be home to the seat of the irrigation 
district, now known as the Bexar, Medina, Atascosa Water District 
(BMA). BMA owns and operates Medina Dam, Medina Lake and the entire 
canal system, furnishing water for 35,000 acres of land year-round for 
vegetable crops, grain and hay.
  Though established by Dr. Pearson, Natalia was not incorporated as a 
city until March 2, 1968. In January of that year, a group of 50 
citizens petitioned Medina County to incorporate as a municipality 
using a City Council form of government. A vote was held on the 2nd of 
March and by a tally of 116 to 50, Natalia, Texas was incorporated. 
Just a few weeks later the first elections for Mayor, Alderman and City 
Marshall were held. During the 40 years of the City of Natalia's 
existence, the goal of its elected officials has always been to offer a 
better quality of life for its citizens. Natalia continues to retain 
its small-town charm while also constantly preparing for the future.
  There is perhaps no better way to celebrate Natalia's anniversary 
than with the Texas Bluebonnets. The flower blooms in early spring 
across fields and roadsides in central and south Texas. Aptly named for 
its vibrant color and shape, the Bluebonnet's petal is often said to 
resemble a woman's sunbonnet. Though especially prevalent in towns like 
Natalia, the Bluebonnet has come to symbolize the entire State of Texas 
and it was chosen as its state flower in 1901. The annual Bluebonnet 
Festival celebrates not only the anniversary of Natalia, but also the 
wild beauty that we have come to associate with the Bluebonnet and the 
untamed landscape of West Texas.
  As they celebrate 40 years of city incorporation, I congratulate all 
current and past residents of Natalia, Texas for working to achieve the 
dream of Dr. Pearson of being the ``Queen City of the Southwest.''

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