The City of Fort Worth is now Texas’ “aviation and defense” capital, after Gov. Greg Abbott signed a resolution earlier this week.
Abbott signed House Concurrent Resolution 142 — labeling Fort Worth the “official Aviation and Defense Capital of Texas” – on June 17, according to a press release. The governor signed this, along with other business-related bills, at a luncheon for the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership.
“The laws being signed today reduce barriers for small businesses and prioritize ordinary Texans,” Abbott said in the release.
While speaking at the event, Abbott “touted the role that Fort Worth plays in the Texas economy and in advancing America’s leadership in military capacity and aerospace technology,” according to the release.
“Fort Worth has played an integral part in advancing America’s leadership in military capability and aerospace technology, and these contributions have brought profound benefits to our state and nation,” the resolution reads.
Fort Worth was first established as a “frontier outpost” in 1849. In World War I, the city was home to Camp Bowie, which trained 100,000 soldiers for the Army’s 36th Infantry Division. In World War II, Fort Worth was instrumental in building B-24 and B-32 bombers and became home to Carswell Air Force Base.
The resolution also cited the city’s connection to the development of the F-16, the headquarters of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II program, the office of American Airlines, Bell Textron’s helicopter production, and the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
Abbott attended the event alongside Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, Fort Worth EDP President Robert Allen, and others, including state Sens. Kelly Hancock, Bryan Hughes, and Royce West. They were joined by state Reps. Benjamin Bumgarner, Caroline Davila, Charlie Geren, John McQueeney, Morgan Meyer, Katrine Pierson, David Spiller, Tony Tinderholt, and Nate Schatzline.
Schatzline posted on X that it was an “honor” to stand with supporters of legislation to “create an even stronger environment for small businesses,” making Texas the “most PRO BUSINESS state in the USA.”