By: Cain S.R. No. 614 1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION 1-2 WHEREAS, Since the founding of the first permanent settlement 1-3 in Kaufman County more than 150 years ago, the citizens of the area 1-4 have exemplified the independent and industrious spirit of Texas; 1-5 and 1-6 WHEREAS, The history of this northeast Texas community dates 1-7 back to the days of the Republic of Texas, when Dr. William P. King 1-8 established the first permanent settlement on the upper Blackland 1-9 Prairie; overlooking a broad fertile valley, this settlement, known 1-10 as King's Fort and later Kingsborough, became the nucleus of the 1-11 thriving agriculture community we know today as Kaufman County; and 1-12 WHEREAS, By 1843, the area around King's Fort had begun to 1-13 attract other settlers in such sufficient numbers that the old 1-14 garrison Kingsborough became the hub of activity for the rapidly 1-15 growing territory; and 1-16 WHEREAS, Within a decade, growth in the territory had 1-17 warranted its political organization, and in 1848 a rising young 1-18 political figure named John H. Reagan introduced a bill in the 1-19 Texas Legislature creating this new county, which was named in 1-20 honor of another prominent Texas statesman, David S. Kaufman; and 1-21 WHEREAS, In an election held in March, 1851, the residents 1-22 of Kaufman County selected the town of Kingsborough, which occupied 1-23 the county's approximate geographic center, as the new county seat; 2-1 in November of that year, the activities of county government were 2-2 moved to the county seat, which by then had been renamed Kaufman; 2-3 and 2-4 WHEREAS, In December, 1885, the county commissioners voted 2-5 to build a new county courthouse that would adequately reflect the 2-6 community's confidence in its continued growth and prosperity; 2-7 standing over 70 years, this venerable stone courthouse not only 2-8 served Kaufman County but came to symbolize the community's 2-9 stability and enduring social values; and 2-10 WHEREAS, In 1955, a modern courthouse was erected in Kaufman, 2-11 ushering in a new era of growth for the community as the local 2-12 economy began to diversify from its traditional agricultural base; 2-13 and 2-14 WHEREAS, While still retaining its agricultural economy, 2-15 Kaufman County currently is reaping the benefits of broadened 2-16 economic development, including an influx of manufacturing and 2-17 trade industries; and 2-18 WHEREAS, Part of the Dallas Standard Metropolitan Statistical 2-19 Area, Kaufman County offers its residents the best of two worlds; 2-20 its residents enjoy many of the amenities afforded by one of the 2-21 nation's major cities while they retain their identity as a 2-22 close-knit, family-oriented community in the finest traditions of 2-23 Texas' rural past; and 2-24 WHEREAS, Rich in history and tradition, Kaufman County is a 2-25 prosperous, forward-looking community fully participating in the 3-1 state's dynamic growth, and it gives the members of this legislative 3-2 body great pleasure to join our fellow citizens in saluting this 3-3 fine Texas community; now, therefore, be it 3-4 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 3-5 74th Legislature, hereby declare April 3, 1995, Kaufman County Day 3-6 at the Capitol and extend best wishes to all of its citizens on 3-7 this noteworthy occasion. 3-8 ______________________________________ 3-9 President of the Senate 3-10 I hereby certify that the above 3-11 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-12 on April 3, 1995. 3-13 ______________________________________ 3-14 Secretary of the Senate 3-15 ______________________________________ 3-16 Member, Texas Senate