By Johnson                                             H.R. No. 499
       74R9025 PFG-D
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, Nestled in the Piney Woods of East Texas, the twin
    1-2  cities of Lufkin and Nacogdoches have long served as communities in
    1-3  which all Texans can take great pride, for, by capitalizing on
    1-4  their progressive citizenry and abundant natural resources, they
    1-5  have become ideal communities in which to live and raise a family
    1-6  or to visit for a relaxing vacation or weekend getaway; and
    1-7        WHEREAS, One of the oldest communities in Texas, Nacogdoches
    1-8  was founded in 1691 and figured prominently in the Texas
    1-9  Revolution; today, with a thriving population of more than 33,000
   1-10  residents, it is the county seat of Nacogdoches County; Lufkin, its
   1-11  neighbor to the south, serves as the county seat of Angelina County
   1-12  and, over the course of the past century, has become a leading
   1-13  timber producer in the state and the home of more than 35,000
   1-14  residents; and
   1-15        WHEREAS, The two cities are surrounded by major lakes,
   1-16  well-stocked rivers, and majestic national forests that unite to
   1-17  form a recreational paradise that lures sightseers, campers,
   1-18  hikers, hunters, and anglers alike from throughout the country who
   1-19  are drawn to the area by its unparalleled natural beauty as well as
   1-20  its plentiful recreational opportunities; and
   1-21        WHEREAS, Fueled by a booming economy that derives much of its
   1-22  success from the region's ample natural resources and agricultural
   1-23  bounty, Lufkin and Nacogdoches also have formed a major
   1-24  manufacturing corridor and enjoy a vibrant business climate that
    2-1  contributes to the area's high standard of living; and
    2-2        WHEREAS, In keeping with their rich heritage, these two
    2-3  cities offer a wealth of historical and cultural attractions;
    2-4  visitors to Nacogdoches can tour such noted sites as the Old Stone
    2-5  Fort, the Adolphus Sterne home, and the Oak Grove Cemetery, or
    2-6  stroll down the community's original brick streets while visiting
    2-7  the modern Fredonia Convention Center and the Nacogdoches County
    2-8  Exposition Center; and
    2-9        WHEREAS, Equally compelling is the city of Lufkin, which
   2-10  serves as the setting for the Pitser Garrison Civic Center and
   2-11  Angelina County Exposition Center as well as such popular
   2-12  attractions as the Ellen Trout Park and Zoo, the Museum of East
   2-13  Texas, the state's second-ranked golf course, a downtown arts
   2-14  district, and numerous city parks; and
   2-15        WHEREAS, Twin-city residents take particular pride in the
   2-16  educational offerings of Stephen F. Austin State University in
   2-17  Nacogdoches and Angelina College in Lufkin, two of the region's
   2-18  premier institutions of higher education; and
   2-19        WHEREAS, The greatest asset of the twin cities is undoubtedly
   2-20  their honest, industrious, and ethnically diverse population who
   2-21  more than occasionally display trademark East Texas stubbornness
   2-22  and who are renowned for their great generosity and friendliness;
   2-23  and
   2-24        WHEREAS, These two cities have long enjoyed a friendly
   2-25  rivalry, though the "friendly" aspect of that rivalry is cast aside
   2-26  one day each year when Lufkin High School and Nacogdoches High
   2-27  School take to the field to vie for supremacy in the oldest
    3-1  football rivalry in Texas; and
    3-2        WHEREAS, The citizens of Lufkin and Nacogdoches have
    3-3  successfully managed to combine within their communities the
    3-4  vitality of urban life with the quaint charm of small town living;
    3-5  in recent years, they have demonstrated their immense civic pride
    3-6  by traveling to Austin to join with their elected officials and
    3-7  chambers of commerce in a celebration of Lufkin-Nacogdoches Day at
    3-8  the State Capitol, and it gives the members of this chamber great
    3-9  pleasure to welcome them to Austin at this time; now, therefore, be
   3-10  it
   3-11        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
   3-12  Legislature hereby declare March 29, 1995, as Lufkin-Nacogdoches
   3-13  Day at the State Capitol and commend the many fine citizens of
   3-14  these two exceptional cities for their notable achievements; and,
   3-15  be it further
   3-16        RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared
   3-17  for prominent display in the cities of Lufkin and Nacogdoches as an
   3-18  expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.