By: Uher H.R. No. 852 73R11622 SDU-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Gene Hendryx, an esteemed former member of the Texas 1-2 House of Representatives, is being recognized by the Texas Parks 1-3 and Wildlife Department in appreciation of his dedicated efforts to 1-4 have Fort Leaton designated a historic site, and this special 1-5 recognition is indeed well deserved; and 1-6 WHEREAS, This distinguished gentleman proudly and capably 1-7 served the citizens of Alpine and the Big Bend region in the house 1-8 of representatives during the 58th, 59th, and 60th Texas 1-9 Legislatures and his chairmanship of a committee to study the 1-10 historical significance of old forts in Texas has continued to 1-11 benefit the citizens of this state; and 1-12 WHEREAS, Fort Leaton was established during the 1840s not far 1-13 from the site of present-day Presidio and served as a pioneer 1-14 trading post until Indian depredations forced its abandonment at 1-15 the outbreak of the Civil War; and 1-16 WHEREAS, In 1936, the same year that the Texas Centennial 1-17 Commission placed a marker at the site, the stockade and some of 1-18 the adjoining rooms at the fort were destroyed by fire; in response 1-19 to the efforts of Mr. Hendryx, the state acquired the ruins of Fort 1-20 Leaton in 1967 and the five-acre tract became Fort Leaton State 1-21 Historic Site; and 1-22 WHEREAS, Through his diligence and determination, Mr. Hendryx 1-23 successfully waged a campaign to have the Fort Leaton site 1-24 preserved for future generations of Texans to enjoy, and his 2-1 outstanding accomplishment truly merits further commendation and 2-2 praise; now, therefore, be it 2-3 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 2-4 Legislature hereby commend the Honorable Gene Hendryx for his 2-5 invaluable contribution to the designation of Fort Leaton as a 2-6 historic site and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued 2-7 success and happiness in the future; and, be it further 2-8 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-9 prepared for Mr. Hendryx as an expression of high regard by the 2-10 Texas House of Representatives.