H.R. No. 251
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to join
    1-2  the citizens of Waco in the joyous celebration of Waco Day at the
    1-3  Capitol on April 4, 1995; and
    1-4        WHEREAS, Located near the confluence of the Bosque and Brazos
    1-5  rivers in McLennan County, the site originally was settled by the
    1-6  Waco Indians, who flocked to its abundant cold springs; and
    1-7        WHEREAS, In 1837 the Texas Rangers established the first
    1-8  Anglo settlement in the area when they founded an outpost at Fort
    1-9  Fisher, and shortly thereafter pioneers came to establish a variety
   1-10  of businesses; and
   1-11        WHEREAS, Word of the region's plentiful natural resources and
   1-12  rich farmland quickly spread, and when the town was divided into
   1-13  lots in 1849, citizens flocked to make their home in this growing
   1-14  and desirable community; and
   1-15        WHEREAS, Originally known as Waco Village, the town became
   1-16  the McLennan County seat in 1850 and was officially incorporated as
   1-17  the city of Waco six years later; and
   1-18        WHEREAS, In 1870 the community greatly enhanced its
   1-19  transportation features when it finally spanned the Brazos River
   1-20  with the Old Suspension Bridge, then heralded as the world's
   1-21  longest suspension bridge and later used as the pattern for the
   1-22  famous Brooklyn Bridge; the following year, a tap railroad was
   1-23  brought to town, earning Waco the nickname of "Hub City"; and
   1-24        WHEREAS, Located on the historic Chisholm Trail, the city
    2-1  enjoyed a vibrant economy based on the "five Cs": cattle, cotton,
    2-2  corn, collegians, and culture, and now is the home of many thriving
    2-3  industries that contribute greatly to the state's economic
    2-4  prosperity; and
    2-5        WHEREAS, The community draws many visitors who come to enjoy
    2-6  its vast array of natural and cultural resources; Lakes Brazos and
    2-7  Waco offer a variety of recreational opportunities, while Waco's
    2-8  network of 16 municipal parks, showcased by scenic, 380-acre
    2-9  Cameron Park, offers tourists and citizens a peaceful oasis in the
   2-10  heart of the city; and
   2-11        WHEREAS, The Cen-Tex Zoo provides hours of entertainment for
   2-12  visitors of all ages, and the community's museums and historic
   2-13  homes impart a sense of the town's vibrant heritage; and
   2-14        WHEREAS, Waco also is famous for its widely popular Heart O'
   2-15  Texas Fair and Rodeo, which is held in October, and the annual
   2-16  Brazos River Festival and the Christmas-on-the-Brazos Celebration
   2-17  offer much enjoyment as well; and
   2-18        WHEREAS, Rich in culture and tradition, Waco is a prosperous,
   2-19  forward-looking community and a leading participant in the state's
   2-20  dynamic growth, and it gives the Texas House of Representatives
   2-21  great pleasure to welcome our visitors from Waco and join with them
   2-22  in saluting this fine Texas community; now, therefore, be it
   2-23        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
   2-24  Legislature hereby designate April 4, 1995, as Waco Day at the
   2-25  Capitol and extend best wishes to all its citizens on this
   2-26  noteworthy occasion; and, be it further
   2-27        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
    3-1  prepared for the citizens of Waco as an expression of high regard
    3-2  by the Texas House of Representatives.