By Johnson H.R. No. 872 74R12493 KMP-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The residents of the city of Jasper have for more 1-2 than 150 years committed themselves to the pursuit of excellence 1-3 through hard work, and these outstanding Texans have made many 1-4 important contributions to the culture and economy of their state; 1-5 and 1-6 WHEREAS, The county seat of one of the original 23 counties 1-7 created by the Republic of Texas in 1836, the city of Jasper was 1-8 named in honor of Sergeant William Jasper, a hero of the American 1-9 Revolutionary War; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Located amid the Piney Woods of East Texas, Jasper 1-11 is ideally situated near the Big Thicket National Preserve and is 1-12 home to B. A. Steinhagen Lake, Sam Rayburn Reservoir, and Sandy 1-13 Creek Park; and 1-14 WHEREAS, The natural beauty and abundance of this lovely city 1-15 have given rise to a booming tourist industry; generations of Lone 1-16 Star residents have journeyed to this picturesque area to enjoy the 1-17 charms of small-town Texas and to attend the city's annual Lions 1-18 Club PRCA Rodeo, Azalea Arts and Crafts Festival, and Fall Fest; 1-19 and 1-20 WHEREAS, The city of Jasper has been blessed with bountiful 1-21 natural resources that have helped it become a leading producer of 1-22 timber and agricultural crops; in recent years, with the advent of 1-23 horizontal drilling, the surrounding area has also become an 1-24 important producer of oil and natural gas; and 2-1 WHEREAS, Today Jasper stands poised on the brink of a bright 2-2 economic future, enjoying a diverse economy based in part on retail 2-3 sales, manufacturing, health care services, and timber processing; 2-4 the area currently is experiencing unprecedented growth, and its 2-5 dynamic citizens pursue economic prosperity while protecting the 2-6 pristine environment that makes the city of Jasper an exceptional 2-7 place in which to live and raise a family; and 2-8 WHEREAS, Blessed with a rich heritage, abundant natural 2-9 resources, and the friendliest folk in all of Texas, Jasper is one 2-10 of our state's most remarkable municipalities, and the efforts of 2-11 its residents do indeed merit special legislative recognition and 2-12 support; now, therefore, be it 2-13 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-14 Legislature hereby recognize May 22, 1995, as Jasper Day at the 2-15 State Capitol and join with the citizens of Jasper in paying 2-16 tribute to one of the Lone Star State's finest cities; and, be it 2-17 further 2-18 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-19 prepared for the city of Jasper as a commemoration of this grand 2-20 occasion and as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of 2-21 Representatives.