H.C.R. No. 60
                              HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
    1-1        WHEREAS, The Texas Legislature is proud to join the citizens
    1-2  of Longview and Tyler in celebrating the two Northeast Texas
    1-3  communities and paying tribute to the area's well-known scenic
    1-4  charm, its rich history and traditions, and the many achievements
    1-5  of its energetic and industrious populace; and
    1-6        WHEREAS, Located in Gregg and Smith counties, respectively,
    1-7  and nestled amid the hills, lakes, and forests of Northeast Texas,
    1-8  Longview and Tyler are two of the area's most important centers for
    1-9  commercial and cultural activities, and both can justly be counted
   1-10  among the state's most picturesque communities; and
   1-11        WHEREAS, The area's lush natural beauty makes it a popular
   1-12  destination for outdoor sports and recreation enthusiasts from
   1-13  across the state, many of whom come to enjoy the excellent
   1-14  opportunities for water sports available at lakes Brandy Branch,
   1-15  Gladewater, and Lake O' the Pines near Longview and lakes
   1-16  Palestine, Tyler, and Tyler East near Tyler; the 994-acre Tyler
   1-17  State Park is a veritable sportsman's paradise offering ample
   1-18  facilities for picnicking, hiking, camping, fishing, swimming,
   1-19  boating, and other outdoor activities; and
   1-20        WHEREAS, This abundance of natural resources has long
   1-21  attracted people to this area of the state and made it a center for
   1-22  human activity since prehistoric times, and the prehistoric and
   1-23  historic record of human habitation and achievement is preserved
   1-24  and celebrated in the many fine museums in the area; and
    2-1        WHEREAS, In Longview, visitors can relive the past by
    2-2  strolling through the Caddo Indian Museum, the Gregg County
    2-3  Historical Museum, and the R. G.  LeTourneau Museum, while visitors
    2-4  to Tyler can tour such diverse sites as Camp Ford, the Carnegie
    2-5  History Center, and the Goodman-LeGrand Home; visitors with an
    2-6  interest in either cultural offerings or natural history exhibits
    2-7  can satisfy their interests by visiting the Longview Museum and Art
    2-8  Center and the Tyler Museum of Art or the popular attractions of
    2-9  the Caldwell Zoo, the Hudnall Planetarium, the World of Wildlife
   2-10  Museum, and Discovery Place; and
   2-11        WHEREAS, Known as the Rose Capital of the World, Tyler has
   2-12  achieved well-deserved recognition for its elegant Tyler rosebushes
   2-13  and proudly celebrates its principal claim to fame every October
   2-14  when it hosts the renowned Texas Rose Festival; this annual event,
   2-15  with its many festivities designed to showcase the Tyler Rose,
   2-16  draws thousands of visitors to Tyler each year and helps to spread
   2-17  the city's fame far and wide; and
   2-18        WHEREAS, For residents and visitors alike, the 22-acre
   2-19  Municipal Rose Garden offers year-round opportunities to enjoy the
   2-20  city's floral bounty; the largest rose showcase in the nation, this
   2-21  magnificent garden features 38,000 rosebushes and nearly 500
   2-22  varieties of roses, many of which reach their florescent peak
   2-23  between May and November; and
   2-24        WHEREAS, The two communities are noted for their fine schools
   2-25  and are home to several excellent academic institutions of higher
   2-26  education:  LeTourneau College, Kilgore College Longview Center,
   2-27  Tyler Junior College, Texas College, The University of Texas at
    3-1  Tyler, and The University of Texas Health Center; and
    3-2        WHEREAS, With their many natural assets, the outstanding
    3-3  civic pride exemplified by the Northeast Texas citizenry, their
    3-4  stature as county seats, and the excellent educational
    3-5  opportunities they offer area residents, the cities of Longview and
    3-6  Tyler naturally have prospered as twin hubs of activity in
    3-7  Northeast Texas; and
    3-8        WHEREAS, Taking great strides toward expanding its economic
    3-9  and cultural horizons, the city of Tyler maintains an active and
   3-10  cordial relationship with its three sister cities: Metz, France;
   3-11  Yachiyo City, Japan; and Jelenia Gora, Poland, and together they
   3-12  have embarked on a journey of friendship and understanding that
   3-13  promises to bring the international community closer together in
   3-14  peace and prosperity; and
   3-15        WHEREAS, The residents of the Longview and Tyler communities
   3-16  are justifiably proud of their fair cities and the qualities that
   3-17  make them special places in which to live, work, and play, and it
   3-18  is indeed a great pleasure to join our fellow Texans in saluting
   3-19  these two model Texas communities; now, therefore, be it
   3-20        RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas
   3-21  hereby recognize February 28 and March 1, 1995, as Longview-Tyler
   3-22  Days at the State Capitol and extend an official welcome to the
   3-23  fine citizens of those communities visiting the Capitol on this
   3-24  noteworthy occasion.