By Place H.R. No. 128 74R5171 BNL-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Many proud residents of the city of Comanche will 1-2 travel to Austin on February 7, 1995, to celebrate Comanche Day at 1-3 the State Capitol; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Named for the Comanche Indians who once ruled the 1-5 Southwest Plains, the town was established in 1858 near the 1-6 settlement of Cora, which was then the county seat and the site of 1-7 "Old Cora," the only courthouse in the area; many years later, this 1-8 historic building was restored and moved to Comanche, and it has 1-9 earned the distinction of being the oldest original existing 1-10 courthouse in Texas; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Today "Old Cora" sits along the town square under 1-12 the spreading branches of the legendary Fleming Oak, a beautiful 1-13 oak tree that was saved from destruction by a gun-wielding settler 1-14 named Martin Fleming; as a young man growing up in the wild 1-15 frontier days of the town, Mr. Fleming had hidden behind the tree 1-16 to escape an Indian attack, and because he believed that the tree 1-17 had saved his life that day, he pledged to defend it against 1-18 encroaching development; and 1-19 WHEREAS, The determined Texan got his wish, and both "Old 1-20 Cora" and the Fleming Oak will soon benefit from a federally funded 1-21 beautification project that will establish a park, picnic tables, 1-22 an arbor, and wheelchair accessibility in the historic town square; 1-23 and 1-24 WHEREAS, Nestled in the hills of Central Texas, the town of 2-1 Comanche benefits from abundant natural resources that have given 2-2 rise to a diverse agricultural economy; the region's fertile soil 2-3 and warm, sunny weather make the county the top producer of 2-4 peanuts, pecans, watermelons, and cantaloupes, and local dairy 2-5 production yields nearly 30 million pounds of milk a year; and 2-6 WHEREAS, Abundant water and a plentiful food supply of 2-7 peanuts, oats, and other grains have also nurtured an outstanding 2-8 wildlife population, and the Comanche area offers 4,000 acres of 2-9 prime hunting and fishing opportunities; trophy white tail bucks in 2-10 excess of 20 points have been taken there, and local Rio Grande 2-11 turkeys have set world records for both size and beard length; and 2-12 WHEREAS, At nearby Lake Proctor, visitors can choose from a 2-13 variety of water sports and recreational activities; anglers enjoy 2-14 a plentiful stock of striper, bass, catfish, crappie, and perch, 2-15 while a nearby 18-hole golf course enables visitors to challenge 2-16 themselves on the links; and 2-17 WHEREAS, Comanche residents celebrate their colorful heritage 2-18 and spirit throughout the year with festive events such as the 2-19 annual July rodeo, the De Leon Peach and Melon Festival, and the 2-20 famed Comanche County Pow-Wow, which features an arts and crafts 2-21 show, a cook-off, authentic Indian dances, and other 2-22 family-oriented entertainment; and 2-23 WHEREAS, The people of Comanche take justifiable pride in 2-24 their rich and colorful history, as well as in the natural beauty 2-25 of their region; this unique city and its citizens have played a 2-26 significant role in Texas' development, and their many 2-27 contributions to the Lone Star State are indeed worthy of special 3-1 legislative recognition; now, therefore, be it 3-2 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 3-3 Legislature hereby recognize February 7, 1995, as Comanche Day at 3-4 the Capitol and join the citizens of Comanche in paying tribute to 3-5 one of Texas' finest cities; and, be it further 3-6 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-7 prepared for the people of Comanche as a commemoration of this 3-8 grand occasion and as an expression of high regard by the Texas 3-9 House of Representatives.