By Wohlgemuth                                  H.C.R. No. 150

      75R8198 SAJ-D                           

                             HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 1-1           WHEREAS, The Texas Legislature is proud to designate the

 1-2     community of Clifton the Norwegian Capital of Texas and to join

 1-3     with our fellow citizens in paying tribute to the region's rich

 1-4     cultural heritage; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, The area's history dates back to 1854, when noted

 1-6     settlers Cleng Peerson and Ole Canuteson established the community

 1-7     of Norse in Bosque County, and today the town of Clifton is home to

 1-8     the largest population of Norwegian Americans in the South and

 1-9     Southwest; and

1-10           WHEREAS, The people of Clifton have done an admirable job of

1-11     preserving the community's vibrant past; visitors and residents

1-12     alike can tour the historic Norway Mill and the log home of the

1-13     Joseph Olson family, and they can learn more about the region and

1-14     its early settlers at the Bosque Memorial Museum, which is a legacy

1-15     of immigrant farmer Jacob Olson; and

1-16           WHEREAS, In addition, people of all ages can sample a

1-17     traditional Norwegian dish, lutefisk, at Our Savior's Lutheran

1-18     Church, which also hosts an immensely popular smorgasbord every

1-19     Christmas; and

1-20           WHEREAS, Clifton's unique historical and cultural

1-21     significance has earned the community great renown; a portion of

1-22     State Highway 219 has been designated the Cleng Peerson Memorial

1-23     Highway, and King Olav V of Norway visited the area in 1982; more

1-24     recently, the Texas Historical Commission named the town a Texas

 2-1     Main Street City in recognition of its warmth and diversity; and

 2-2           WHEREAS, These fine attributes and many more have made

 2-3     Clifton a charming and friendly place where visitors can stop by

 2-4     and experience firsthand the community's special atmosphere, and it

 2-5     is truly a pleasure to honor the town and its residents at this

 2-6     time; now, therefore, be it

 2-7           RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas

 2-8     hereby designate Clifton the Norwegian Capital of Texas and commend

 2-9     its citizens for their outstanding efforts in preserving the

2-10     region's past.