73R4836 SDU-D By Cook H.R. No. 316 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Callahan County community of Baird has a rich 1-2 history dating back to the building of the Texas and Pacific 1-3 Railroad in the 1880s; and 1-4 WHEREAS, The town thrived while merchants flourished in the 1-5 large buildings lining Market Street, but with the coming of 1-6 shopping malls and discount stores, Baird fell on difficult 1-7 economic times; and 1-8 WHEREAS, Buoyed by the success of the community of 1-9 Gladewater's downtown revitalization program, the proud citizens of 1-10 Baird banded together in an effort to revitalize their own hometown 1-11 fortunes; perceiving the lack of a concentration of antique dealers 1-12 in their part of the state, they worked diligently to transform the 1-13 empty buildings on Market Street and other nearby streets into an 1-14 attractive mall lined with antique stores and novelty shops; and 1-15 WHEREAS, The grand opening of Baird's new shopping area on 1-16 June 1, 1991, was indeed a momentous occasion and a testament to 1-17 the can-do spirit of the town's 1,700 residents; the citizens of 1-18 Baird truly merit special recognition and praise for their 1-19 outstanding achievement in revitalizing this charming West Texas 1-20 community; now, therefore, be it 1-21 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 1-22 Legislature hereby declare the community of Baird to be the Antique 1-23 Capital of West Texas and commend its residents for their exemplary 1-24 accomplishment in building one of West Texas' finest communities; 2-1 and, be it further 2-2 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-3 prepared for prominent display in Baird as an expression of high 2-4 regard by the Texas House of Representatives.