By:  Craddick                                         H.C.R. No. 98
       73R6670 LBD-D
                                 CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
    1-1        WHEREAS, One hundred years since its organization, Glasscock
    1-2  County, located in the heart of the vast West Texas plains between
    1-3  the Concho and Pecos rivers, will celebrate its centennial on June
    1-4  12, 1993; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, Against the harsh conditions of frontier life, early
    1-6  settlers here struggled to tame this rugged land, yet through
    1-7  determination and perseverance they prevailed, bringing
    1-8  civilization and progress to this once remote region of the state;
    1-9  and
   1-10        WHEREAS, The first rancher to settle in the area was L. S.
   1-11  McDowell, who had to haul in drinking water from the town of Big
   1-12  Spring in Howard County for several years after his arrival in the
   1-13  county; soon he was joined by other settlers, and the small
   1-14  communities of New California, Garden City, and Dixie gradually
   1-15  grew and emerged as the three main centers of settlement in the
   1-16  county; and
   1-17        WHEREAS, Each contending for the title of county seat, New
   1-18  California was selected on March 28, 1893, mainly for its proximity
   1-19  to water; shortly thereafter, residents of Garden City relocated to
   1-20  New California and the name was subsequently changed to Garden
   1-21  City; and
   1-22        WHEREAS, The natural characteristics of the region proved
   1-23  useful to the settlement of the county; thriving in the long
   1-24  growing season, native grasses such as curly mesquite, gamma, and
    2-1  buffalo provided an abundant supply of forage for cattle, sheep,
    2-2  and goats, while wild plums and berries from the agarita bush made
    2-3  for tasty pies and jellies; and
    2-4        WHEREAS, For 100 years, small mesquite trees have dotted the
    2-5  landscape, rarely reaching heights above five feet, while
    2-6  hackberry, china, and live oak trees continue to subsist in the
    2-7  lower-lying areas; native stone was a prime building material used
    2-8  in the construction of many early buildings such as the county
    2-9  courthouse, which was built in 1910, and the remnants of various
   2-10  old stone structures can still be seen throughout the region today;
   2-11  and
   2-12        WHEREAS, Livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats and crops
   2-13  like cotton, wheat, pecans, and grapes have long been vital
   2-14  mainstays of the economy of this region; in 1917, however, the oil
   2-15  industry took Glasscock County by storm, pumping opportunity and
   2-16  prosperity into the local economy, and, more than seven decades
   2-17  later, the oil industry continues to comprise a major portion of
   2-18  the county's economy; and
   2-19        WHEREAS, A century has passed since Glasscock County
   2-20  residents first elected officers to manage the affairs of their
   2-21  community; today, citizens still trust in the guidance and wisdom
   2-22  of fine community leaders, including County Judge Wilburn Bednar,
   2-23  Precinct 1 Commissioner Jimmy Strube, Precinct 2 Commissioner Ervin
   2-24  Wooten, Precinct 3 Commissioner Hugh Bryan Schafer, Precinct 4
   2-25  Commissioner Donald Cypert, Sheriff and Tax Assessor-Collector
   2-26  Royce Pruit, County and District Clerk Betty Pate, County Treasurer
   2-27  Judy Kingston, Justice of the Peace Marilee Jost, Constable Le Roy
    3-1  Hoelscher, and County Attorney Rick Hamby; and
    3-2        WHEREAS, Residents of Glasscock County maintain a rich
    3-3  heritage that has shaped and molded their values and standards
    3-4  throughout a century of change; in times of happiness and hardship,
    3-5  their vibrant tenacity has strengthened communal ties, and Texans
    3-6  everywhere can take pride in the accomplishments of the citizens of
    3-7  this historic county; now, therefore, be it
    3-8        RESOLVED, That the 73rd Legislature of the State of Texas
    3-9  hereby honor Glasscock County on the occasion of its 100th
   3-10  anniversary and join its citizens in paying tribute to the robust
   3-11  spirit and drive that are the lifeblood of this fine county; and,
   3-12  be it further
   3-13        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   3-14  prepared for Glasscock County as an expression of high regard by
   3-15  the Legislature of the State of Texas.