H.R. No. 87
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, The Central Texas community of Copperas Cove is the
    1-2  home of many commendable citizens who take pride in their
    1-3  community's rich heritage and look toward the future with a spirit
    1-4  of optimism and progress; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, The area was originally inhabited by Tonkawa Indians
    1-6  but, by the 1840s, the first white settlers began arriving and
    1-7  settled in Ogletree Gap Valley, approximately two miles west of
    1-8  where the town of Copperas Cove stands today; the natural basin,
    1-9  protected by the five surrounding hills, was used primarily as a
   1-10  stopover for cattle drives heading east toward the Chisholm Trail;
   1-11  and
   1-12        WHEREAS, In 1878, one of the town's earliest settlers,
   1-13  Marsden Ogletree, built a stagecoach stop in the community, which
   1-14  would eventually become the area's first post office, with
   1-15  Mr. Ogletree serving as its first postmaster; and
   1-16        WHEREAS, Copperas Cove was moved to its present-day location
   1-17  with the coming of the Santa Fe Railroad and was named for a
   1-18  "copperas-tasting" spring in the cove of a nearby mountain; and
   1-19        WHEREAS, The town remained a small community until
   1-20  construction began at what was then known as Camp Hood in 1942, and
   1-21  since that time, Fort Hood has evolved into the largest military
   1-22  installation in the free world, covering 339 square miles; the only
   1-23  military post in the United States that has the capability to
   1-24  support two full divisions, Fort Hood has had a beneficial
    2-1  influence on its neighbor to the west and its close proximity has
    2-2  given the residents of Copperas Cove a strong sense of patriotism
    2-3  as well as the multicultural community for which it has become
    2-4  known; and
    2-5        WHEREAS, The city of Copperas Cove offers an abundance of
    2-6  recreational facilities at its 88-acre park, and each April
    2-7  supports the Five Hills Ride, an annual bicycle tour that has
    2-8  become a favorite of cycling enthusiasts for the scenic beauty and
    2-9  challenging rides it offers participants; and
   2-10        WHEREAS, The area supports a number of popular festivals as
   2-11  well, including Florence Friendship Days in June; Oktoberfest, the
   2-12  Harker Heights Pig Fest, and the Ogletree Gap Folklife Festival in
   2-13  October; the Diamond Back Jubilee in Lometa held each March; Cinco
   2-14  de Mayo festivities, Rabbit Fest, and the Memorial Day weekend
   2-15  Festival of Flags each May; and Sausage Fest each November; and
   2-16        WHEREAS, The area also is rich in excellent educational
   2-17  opportunities as the site of Central Texas College and the
   2-18  University of Central Texas; and
   2-19        WHEREAS, The citizens of Copperas Cove have made this
   2-20  innovative and modern community a town that still takes pride in
   2-21  traditional values and a high quality of life, and their
   2-22  accomplishments truly merit the commendation of the Texas House of
   2-23  Representatives; now, therefore, be it
   2-24        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
   2-25  Legislature hereby recognize Tuesday, January 31, 1995, as Copperas
   2-26  Cove Day at the State Capitol, welcome the proud residents of
   2-27  Copperas Cove on their visit to Austin, and commend them for their
    3-1  exemplary achievement in building one of Texas' finest communities.