H.C.R. No. 61
                              HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
    1-1        WHEREAS, The residents of Rusk County have for more than a
    1-2  century committed themselves to the pursuit of excellence through
    1-3  hard work, and these outstanding Texans have made many important
    1-4  contributions to the culture and economy of their state; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, Created out of Nacogdoches County in 1843, Rusk
    1-6  County was named in honor of Thomas Jefferson Rusk, a signer of the
    1-7  Texas Declaration of Independence who was an influential leader in
    1-8  the Republic of Texas government as well as a United States
    1-9  senator; and
   1-10        WHEREAS, Ideally situated in the piney woods of East Texas
   1-11  between the Sabine and Angelina rivers, Rusk County enjoys a lush
   1-12  and diverse landscape that includes dense forests as well as rich,
   1-13  sandy alluvial plains; and
   1-14        WHEREAS, The natural beauty and abundance of this fine county
   1-15  have given rise to a booming tourist industry; generations of
   1-16  Texans have journeyed to this scenic area to enjoy the charms of
   1-17  the Fairchild State Forest, the Jim Hogg State Historic Park, and
   1-18  the Martin Creek Lake State Park; and
   1-19        WHEREAS, Rusk County is traversed by the historic Texas State
   1-20  Railroad, an antique steam-powered train that carries delighted
   1-21  passengers through the majestic forests of East Texas during the
   1-22  spring and summer months; the county is also home to many
   1-23  historical buildings and to the Footbridge Garden Park, which is
   1-24  believed to contain the longest footbridge in the United States;
    2-1  and
    2-2        WHEREAS, Rusk County has been blessed with bountiful natural
    2-3  resources that have helped it become a leading producer of
    2-4  petroleum products, minerals, and agricultural crops; since the
    2-5  discovery in 1930 of the great East Texas Oil Field, the area has
    2-6  been one of the Lone Star State's leading producers of oil; and
    2-7        WHEREAS, Today Rusk County stands poised on the brink of a
    2-8  bright economic future, enjoying a prosperous and diverse economy
    2-9  based in part on the extraction of oil, natural gas, lignite, and
   2-10  clays; the area will continue to show strong growth in the
   2-11  agribusiness sector as well, and is currently an important producer
   2-12  of beef cattle, dairy products, horses, hay, grains, fruits,
   2-13  vegetables, and timber products; and
   2-14        WHEREAS, Blessed with a rich heritage, abundant natural
   2-15  resources, and a dynamic citizenry, Rusk County is truly one of our
   2-16  state's most remarkable counties, and the efforts of its residents
   2-17  merit special legislative recognition and praise; now, therefore,
   2-18  be it
   2-19        RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas
   2-20  hereby designate February 22, 1995, as Rusk County Day at the State
   2-21  Capitol and join with the citizens of Rusk County in paying tribute
   2-22  to one of the Lone Star State's finest areas; and, be it further
   2-23        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-24  prepared for Rusk County as an expression of high regard by the
   2-25  Legislature of the State of Texas.