By:  Rudd                                              H.R. No. 573
       73R8578 LBD-D
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, On April 27, 1993, many proud residents of Dawson
    1-2  County will join the Texas House of Representatives in celebrating
    1-3  Dawson County Day at the State Capitol; and
    1-4        WHEREAS, Since the organization of Dawson County in 1905, its
    1-5  fine citizens have worked tirelessly to promote the economic health
    1-6  of this vital region and to preserve the rich cultural heritage of
    1-7  the area for generations to come; and
    1-8        WHEREAS, Located in the heart of the vast rolling prairies of
    1-9  West Texas, the territory once was inhabited by bands of Comanche
   1-10  and Kiowa Indians; around the turn of the century, ranchers, lured
   1-11  by the abundance of grasses available for grazing, flocked to the
   1-12  area and established cattle as a major industry here; and
   1-13        WHEREAS, Progress proceeded steadily in the early years as
   1-14  small clusters of settlements sprang up throughout the region; the
   1-15  first school opened in the county in 1902 and the first church was
   1-16  organized by Baptists in the small community of Chicago in 1904;
   1-17  and
   1-18        WHEREAS, The following year, Lamesa was chosen over Chicago
   1-19  as the county seat, and businesses and homes throughout the county
   1-20  soon relocated in the thriving community; in 1911, after six years
   1-21  of trying to secure a railroad for the county seat, the Santa Fe
   1-22  Railroad steamed through the town, linking the county with the rest
   1-23  of the state; and
   1-24        WHEREAS, Today, agribusiness such as cotton, livestock, and
    2-1  grain sorghums are primary components of the county's economy,
    2-2  while oil and manufacturing also play significant roles in the
    2-3  financial activity of the area; and
    2-4        WHEREAS, Blessed with a fine heritage, plentiful resources,
    2-5  and a dynamic citizenry, Dawson County is truly one of the state's
    2-6  most outstanding counties; its many exceptional qualities, and
    2-7  those of its residents, indeed merit special legislative
    2-8  recognition; now, therefore, be it
    2-9        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
   2-10  Legislature hereby recognize April 27, 1993, as Dawson County Day
   2-11  and welcome representatives of the county who are visiting the
   2-12  Capitol on this day; and, be it further
   2-13        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-14  prepared for Dawson County as an expression of high regard by the
   2-15  Texas House of Representatives.