By:  Cook                                              H.R. No. 316
       73R4836 SDU-D
                                  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.