By Oakley H.R. No. 440 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Since the founding of the first permanent settlement 1-2 in Kaufman County more than 150 years ago, the citizens of the area 1-3 have exemplified the independent and industrious spirit of Texas; 1-4 and 1-5 WHEREAS, The history of this northeast Texas community dates 1-6 back to the days of the Republic of Texas, when Dr. William P. King 1-7 established the first permanent settlement on the upper Blackland 1-8 Prairie; overlooking a broad fertile valley, this settlement, known 1-9 as King's Fort and later Kingsborough, became the nucleus of the 1-10 thriving agriculture community we know today as Kaufman County; and 1-11 WHEREAS, By 1843, the area around King's Fort had begun to 1-12 attract other settlers in sufficient numbers that the old garrison 1-13 Kingsborough, which became the hub of activity for the rapidly 1-14 growing territory; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Within a decade, growth in the territory had 1-16 warranted its political organization, and in 1848 a rising young 1-17 political figure named John H. Reagan introduced a bill in the 1-18 Texas Legislature creating this new county, which was named in 1-19 honor of another prominent Texas statesman, David S. Kaufman; and 1-20 WHEREAS, In an election held in March 1851, the residents of 1-21 Kaufman County selected the town of Kingsborough, which occupied 1-22 the county's approximate geographic center, as the new county seat; 1-23 in November of that year, the activities of county government were 2-1 moved to the county seat, which by then had been renamed Kaufman; 2-2 and 2-3 WHEREAS, In December 1885, the county commissioners voted to 2-4 build a new county courthouse that would adequately reflect the 2-5 community's confidence in its continued growth and prosperity; 2-6 standing over 70 years, this venerable stone courthouse not only 2-7 served Kaufman County but came to symbolize the community's 2-8 stability and enduring social values; and 2-9 WHEREAS, In 1955, a modern courthouse was erected in Kaufman, 2-10 ushering in a new era of growth for the community as the local 2-11 economy began to diversity from its traditional agricultural base; 2-12 and 2-13 WHEREAS, While still retaining its agricultural economy, 2-14 Kaufman County currently is reaping the benefits of broadened 2-15 economic development, including an influx of manufacturing and 2-16 trade industries; and 2-17 WHEREAS, Part of the Dallas Standard Metropolitan Statistical 2-18 Area, Kaufman County offers its residents the best of the two 2-19 worlds; its residents enjoy many of the amenities afforded by one 2-20 of the nation's major cities while they retain their identity as a 2-21 close-knit, family-oriented community in the finest traditions of 2-22 Texas' rural past; and 2-23 WHEREAS, Rich in history and tradition, Kaufman County is a 2-24 prosperous, foward-looking community fully participating in the 2-25 state's dynamic growth, and it gives the members of this 3-1 legislative body great pleasure to join our fellow citizens in 3-2 saluting this fine Texas community; now, therefore, be it 3-3 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 3-4 Legislature hereby declare March 29, 1993, Kaufman County Day at 3-5 the Capitol and extend best wishes to all of its citizens on this 3-6 noteworthy occasion.