HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 1-1           WHEREAS, The Texas Legislature is proud to welcome the many

 1-2     citizens of Grand Prairie who have traveled to the Capitol City on

 1-3     March 12, 1997, to celebrate Grand Prairie Day at the Capitol; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, The city owes its existence to A. M. Dechman, an

 1-5     intrepid Canadian who, in 1863, traded his broken wagon, a team of

 1-6     oxen, and $200 in Confederate scrip for the land where the city now

 1-7     sits; originally named for its founder, the community was renamed

 1-8     Grand Prairie in 1877 to agree with the name by which the railroad

 1-9     referred to this vast flatland area, and the town was incorporated

1-10     25 years later in 1902; and

1-11           WHEREAS, Located along the Texas and Pacific Railroad between

1-12     Fort Worth and Dallas, the city's ideal location has made it a hub

1-13     of commerce for North Texas and the surrounding areas; in 1928, the

1-14     city received an additional economic windfall when Hensley Field

1-15     was built just outside Grand Prairie's city limits for use by the

1-16     United States military; and

1-17           WHEREAS, This one-time Indian trading territory still serves

1-18     as a haven of commerce for its residents, with many of the city's

1-19     energetic and industrious citizens employed by the defense industry

1-20     or by one of the various manufacturers that have established

1-21     themselves there; and

1-22           WHEREAS, A popular tourist destination, Grand Prairie is home

1-23     to the Palace of Wax and Ripley's Believe It or Not!, both of which

1-24     provide unique and fascinating family fun; in addition, Traders

 2-1     Village is a flea market and shoppers' bazaar that offers visitors

 2-2     106 acres of distinctive items ranging from antiques to arts and

 2-3     crafts; and

 2-4           WHEREAS, In 1974, Grand Prairie was recognized as an

 2-5     All-America City after the city's leaders completed a major

 2-6     renovation of the historic downtown area; this type of leadership

 2-7     is typically seen in this noteworthy city and has created a great

 2-8     sense of pride among its citizens; and

 2-9           WHEREAS, This fine community and its citizens continue to

2-10     play a significant role in Texas' development, and their many

2-11     contributions to the Lone Star State are truly worthy of special

2-12     legislative recognition; now, therefore, be it

2-13           RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas

2-14     hereby recognize March 12, 1997, as Grand Prairie Day at the

2-15     Capitol and extend a warm welcome to the esteemed citizens who have

2-16     traveled to Austin to celebrate this significant day.

                                                                       Allen

                                                                      Garcia

                                                                       Pitts

         _______________________________     _______________________________

             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.C.R. No. 124 was adopted by the House on

         March 12, 1997, by a non-record vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House

               I certify that H.C.R. No. 124 was adopted by the Senate on

         May 28, 1997, by a viva-voce vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Secretary of the Senate

         APPROVED:  _____________________

                            Date

                    _____________________

                          Governor