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.