By Patterson H.C.R. No. 91 75R6665 BNL-D HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas Legislature is proud to join the citizens 1-2 of Paris, Texas, in joyous celebration of Paris-Lamar County Day at 1-3 the Capitol on February 19, 1997; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Located in the heart of the Red River Valley, Paris 1-5 was founded in 1839 on the divide between the Red and Sulphur 1-6 rivers and became the Lamar County seat five years later; the 1-7 area's rich blackland soil soon gave rise to a thriving ranching 1-8 and agricultural industry, with soybeans, wheat, cotton, corn, and 1-9 sorghum comprising some of the major crops; and 1-10 WHEREAS, The coming of the railroad caused the county seat of 1-11 Paris to grow in importance and population during the mid-1800s, 1-12 and the town continues to play a major role in our state's economic 1-13 vitality as the trade, medical, education, and industrial center of 1-14 Northeast Texas; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Today, the county's agricultural economy has 1-16 expanded to include a solid industrial base; the community is now 1-17 home to five major Fortune 500 manufacturers, and more than 20 1-18 percent of its labor force is employed in the manufacturing sector; 1-19 and 1-20 WHEREAS, Paris is also the home of two renowned health care 1-21 facilities, St. Joseph's Hospital and McCuistion Regional Medical 1-22 Center, which serve Northeast Texas and a large portion of 1-23 Southeastern Oklahoma as well; and 1-24 WHEREAS, The community is justifiably proud of its fine 2-1 educational facilities; Paris Junior College addresses the higher 2-2 education needs of the area and has expanded its campuses to 2-3 nearby Sulphur Springs and Greenville, and Lamar County also takes 2-4 immense pride in its five outstanding public school systems; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Paris draws many visitors who come to enjoy its vast 2-6 array of natural and cultural resources; the second-largest Paris 2-7 in the world, the city has benefited from the rich European culture 2-8 of its namesake as seen in the lovely Culbertson Fountain in the 2-9 heart of downtown; and 2-10 WHEREAS, Lakes Crook and Pat Mayse offer sports enthusiasts a 2-11 wide variety of recreational opportunities, while the community's 2-12 Sam Bell Maxey State Historic Structure and its many other historic 2-13 sites impart a sense of the town's vibrant heritage; and 2-14 WHEREAS, Rich in culture and tradition, Paris is a 2-15 prosperous, forward-looking community and a leading participant in 2-16 the state's dynamic growth, and it gives the Texas Legislature 2-17 great pleasure to join with our fellow citizens in saluting this 2-18 fine Texas community; now, therefore, be it 2-19 RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-20 hereby designate February 19, 1997, as Paris-Lamar County Day at 2-21 the Capitol and extend best wishes to all of the community's 2-22 residents on this noteworthy occasion.