A few days ago, I spoke on the House floor about Socorro, Texas, during a “23 in 1” series. During series, I take viewers and listeners on a one minute journey through 23rd District of Texas. As we continue our journey through the 23rd District of Texas - I would like to thank the historic City of Socorro in El Paso County. Its located in the center of El Pasos Mission Valley - a valley named for the three historic missions founded by Spanish priests, soldiers and colonists. Socorro is also home to the Socorro High School’s Bulldogs. They’re known for many things, but particularly they’re known for their prowess in baseball. Socorro High is a former state champion in baseball – and in a state as big as Texas - thats a pretty impressive feat. The roots of Socorro begin to take shape in 1680, when Governor Antonio de Otermin and Father Francisco de Ayeta led the Spanish and Piro Indian refugees who were fleeing the New Mexico Pueblo Indian Revolt, led them to the El Paso area. Two years later they built a mission - Nuestra Señora de la Limpia Concepción del Socorro - the second oldest mission in Texas. Unfortunately, this first mission was swept away by a flood on the Rio Grande in 1744 and a second mission was built. Today it may be hard to imagine but The Rio Grande, in those days, was a wild river much different from the dry riverbed or placid stream of today - and a powerful flood also washed away the second mission in 1829. In 1843 the main part of the present Socorro mission was completed. And at that time Socorro had a population of about 1,100 people. The City of Socorro is one of those cities in Texas that has seen several flags flown over it. Founded by the Spanish, it became part of Mexico from 1821 to 1848. And as a result of the U.S.‐Mexican War, Socorro became part of Texas. The area around El Paso can be arid and harsh, but the secret to Socorros longevity has been its “acequias”- a well-designed system of irrigation canals still in existence today. And these acequias provided water for crops and vineyards. The development of Socorro suffered a setback in 1881 when the railroads laid their track all the way to El Paso but they by-passed Socorro - this shifted the development and the political power into the city of El Paso itself. And yet, the determined city of Socorro continued to grow and it diversified and developed various industries. Its resolute citizens were determined to stay in the area. Later on unscrupulous developers started to build homes in residential subdivisions there that didnt have paved streets, or water, or sewer, but Socorro residents again raised up against the builders of these colonias to make sure that their city survived and prospered. And today, the City of Socorro is home to some 32,000 people – making it the 95th largest city in Texas. The City of Socorro is El Paso County’s second largest municipality and there’s a lot of history in Socorro.—a lot of places to go and see. But if youve got a young kid, a young child, that you’ll want to hang out where the community gathers. And that’s at Bulldog Championship Park, which includes a splash park, an amphitheater, walking trails and a pond. There’s also the Socorro Entertainment Center known as Speaking Rock, operated by the Tiguas, a Pueblo tribe located in the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo. The Entertainment Center welcomes recording artists like BB King, and the Gipsy Kings, Everclear, and Korn just to name a few. They’re served by the Socorro Independent School District—one high school, three middle schools, five elementary schools. I invite people visiting the 23rd to stop by Socorro, and enjoy Texas culture—it’s an infusion Southwest history and Southwest traditions.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 23:55:00 +0000
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