By Ramsay H.C.R. No. 51 75R4645 JTR-D HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, On February 5, 1997, many proud residents of 1-2 Pittsburg will be in Austin to celebrate Pittsburg Day at the State 1-3 Capitol; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Founded in the 1850s, Pittsburg is the oldest city 1-5 in Camp County, achieving early preeminence as the area's major 1-6 commercial center for farming, poultry, and livestock; the rich 1-7 timberland surrounding the area soon attracted the lumber industry, 1-8 and more recently light manufacturing and food processing have 1-9 become mainstays of the local economy; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Pittsburg's residents are heirs to a colorful 1-11 history in which they take great pride and pleasure, and these 1-12 attributes are evident from the many charming stores and antique 1-13 shops that enliven the town's streets; visitors may further delve 1-14 into the area's past at the Northeast Texas Rural Heritage Center & 1-15 Museum; and 1-16 WHEREAS, The city is also home to one of the unique 1-17 historical exhibits in Texas, a replica of preacher-inventor 1-18 Burrell B. Cannon's legendary Ezekiel Airship; built at the turn of 1-19 the century to mirror a description in the biblical Book of 1-20 Ezekiel, the craft is said to have achieved short flights before 1-21 its destruction en route to the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904; and 1-22 WHEREAS, The pioneering citizens who founded and built 1-23 Pittsburg helped shape the town's enduring spiritual heritage, 1-24 exemplified by the chapel and grounds of the Witness Park and 2-1 Prayer Tower; the 75-foot tower houses four French Paccard bells 2-2 and a chapel open 24 hours a day, while the park features religious 2-3 statuary in a beautifully landscaped setting; and 2-4 WHEREAS, While the residents of Pittsburg look back with 2-5 justifiable satisfaction on their community's remarkable history 2-6 and development, they eagerly look forward to the challenges and 2-7 opportunities of the future, a future that looks bright indeed for 2-8 this noteworthy Texas town; now, therefore, be it 2-9 RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-10 hereby recognize February 5, 1997, as Pittsburg Day at the State 2-11 Capitol and extend to its citizens sincere best wishes for a 2-12 memorable visit to Austin.