H.C.R. No. 136
                              HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
    1-1        WHEREAS, The Texas Legislature is proud to join the citizens
    1-2  of Paris, Texas, in joyous celebration of Paris-Lamar County Day at
    1-3  the Capitol on March 22, 1995; and
    1-4        WHEREAS, Located in the heart of the Red River Valley, Paris
    1-5  was founded in 1839 on the divide between the Red and Sulphur
    1-6  rivers and became the Lamar County seat five years later; and
    1-7        WHEREAS, The community was incorporated in 1845 and grew in
    1-8  importance and population as it became a railroad hub; it continues
    1-9  to play a major role in our state's economic vitality today as the
   1-10  trade, medical, education, and industrial center of Northeast
   1-11  Texas; and
   1-12        WHEREAS, The strength of the area's economy lies in a solid
   1-13  industrial base; the community is home to five major Fortune 500
   1-14  manufacturers, and more than 20 percent of its labor force is
   1-15  employed in the manufacturing sector; and
   1-16        WHEREAS, Paris also is the home of two renowned health care
   1-17  facilities, St. Joseph's Hospital and McCuistion Regional Medical
   1-18  Center, which serve Northeast Texas and a large portion of
   1-19  Southeastern Oklahoma as well; and
   1-20        WHEREAS, The community is justifiably proud of its fine
   1-21  educational facilities; Paris Junior College addresses the higher
   1-22  education needs of the area and has expanded its campuses to
   1-23  nearby Sulphur Springs and Greenville, and Lamar County also takes
   1-24  immense pride in its five outstanding public school systems; and
    2-1        WHEREAS, Paris draws many visitors who come to enjoy its vast
    2-2  array of natural and cultural resources; the second-largest Paris
    2-3  in the world, the city has benefited from the rich European culture
    2-4  of its namesake as seen in the lovely Culbertson Fountain in the
    2-5  heart of downtown; and
    2-6        WHEREAS, Lakes Crook and Pat Mayse offer sports enthusiasts a
    2-7  wide variety of recreational opportunities, while the community's
    2-8  Sam Bell Maxey State Historic Structure and its many other historic
    2-9  sites impart a sense of the town's vibrant heritage; and
   2-10        WHEREAS, Rich in culture and tradition, Paris is a
   2-11  prosperous, forward-looking community and a leading participant in
   2-12  the state's dynamic growth, and it gives the Texas Legislature
   2-13  great pleasure to join with our fellow citizens in saluting this
   2-14  fine Texas community; now, therefore, be it
   2-15        RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas
   2-16  hereby designate March 22, 1995, as Paris-Lamar County Day at the
   2-17  Capitol and extend best wishes to all of the community's residents
   2-18  on this noteworthy occasion; and, be it further
   2-19        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-20  prepared for the citizens of Paris as an expression of high regard
   2-21  by the Texas Legislature.