By Patterson H.C.R. No. 136 74R8398 SAJ-D 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.