By Johnson                                              H.R. No. 74
       74R4475 SAJ-D
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, Since the founding of the city of Kirbyville 100
    1-2  years ago, its citizens have exemplified the independent and
    1-3  industrious spirit of Texas; and
    1-4        WHEREAS, This Jasper County community was established along
    1-5  the route of the Gulf, Beaumont, and Kansas City Railroad; R. P.
    1-6  Allen and John Henry Kirby, the well-known businessman for whom the
    1-7  town was named, laid out Kirbyville's original townsite, and its
    1-8  first lots were sold on May 1, 1895; and
    1-9        WHEREAS, Word of the area's abundant natural resources
   1-10  quickly spread, and the public flocked to the new community, which
   1-11  flourished and prospered; its first sawmill was built in 1896 by
   1-12  Conn and Withers Lumber Company, and the original mill pond stands
   1-13  today as a reminder of the community's vibrant past; and
   1-14        WHEREAS, The city was incorporated in 1926, and its first
   1-15  city council included Mayor S. B. Conn and aldermen J. T. Martin,
   1-16  J. R.  Willis, J. H. Winton, Max Mixson, and Dr. U. B. Ogden; and
   1-17        WHEREAS, While retaining its timber-based economy, Kirbyville
   1-18  now reaps the benefits of broadened economic development as a
   1-19  regional trade center boasting numerous growing businesses; and
   1-20        WHEREAS, The community draws many visitors who come to enjoy
   1-21  its wide array of natural resources, including the Big Thicket
   1-22  Nature Preserve, the E. O. Seike State Forest, and other beautiful
   1-23  forests; the "Dam B" reservoir on the Neches River and other nearby
   1-24  lakes and creeks provide a variety of recreational opportunities as
    2-1  well; and
    2-2        WHEREAS, Kirbyville is also famous for its Magnolia Festival,
    2-3  held the third week of April, and the extremely popular Christmas
    2-4  on the Main, which is offered the last weekend in November, and it
    2-5  is also the site of the Calaboose Museum and Commissary; and
    2-6        WHEREAS, Blessed with a rich heritage, abundant natural
    2-7  resources, and a dynamic citizenry, Kirbyville successfully
    2-8  combines the energy of a thriving city with the charm and
    2-9  friendliness of a small town; the many exceptional qualities of
   2-10  this unique Texas community indeed merit our highest praise and
   2-11  recognition; now, therefore, be it
   2-12        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives  of the 74th
   2-13  Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the 100th anniversary of the
   2-14  founding of Kirbyville and extend best wishes to all of its
   2-15  citizens on this noteworthy occasion; and, be it further
   2-16        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-17  prepared for the citizens of Kirbyville as an expression of high
   2-18  regard by the Texas House of Representatives.