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.