By Sadler H.C.R. No. 61 74R4592 KMP-D 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.