By Sadler                                            H.C.R. No. 184

         75R5626 JHS-D                           

                             HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 1-1           WHEREAS, Many proud residents of the city of Marshall will be

 1-2     in Austin on April 1-2, 1997, to celebrate Marshall Days at the

 1-3     Capitol; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, Settled in 1839, Marshall was one of Texas'

 1-5     wealthiest cities by the mid-1800s; today, the city is a perfect

 1-6     blend  of new and old, featuring a thriving economy against a

 1-7     backdrop of historic landmarks and rich Texas heritage; and

 1-8           WHEREAS, The Lale Trail offers visitors the opportunity to

 1-9     view the city's incredible collection of 19th- and 20th-century

1-10     homes and to get a glimpse of a bygone era; these 65 historic

1-11     abodes can be viewed year-round, and the trail encompasses a total

1-12     of 94 historical sites; and

1-13           WHEREAS, Marshall's internationally acclaimed Wonderland of

1-14     Lights celebrated its 10th anniversary last year; the annual event

1-15     features more than seven million lights brightening the downtown

1-16     area from Thanksgiving until the end of December, and this display

1-17     attracts nearly 700,000 visitors to this East Texas community; and

1-18           WHEREAS, The FireAnt Festival is held on the second weekend

1-19     of October and features such crowd pleasers as the FireAnt Diaper

1-20     Derby, the Rubber Chicken Chunking Contest, and the Tour de FireAnt

1-21     Bike Race; this distinctive event draws 50,000 people over the

1-22     course of two days and offers the FireAnt Calling Contest and the

1-23     FireAnt Roundup for hard-core ant enthusiasts; and

1-24           WHEREAS, Marshall is one of America's largest manufacturers

 2-1     of terra-cotta pots, and the amazing quantity and variety of these

 2-2     earthenware vessels leaves visitors agog; handicrafts abound in

 2-3     this 25,000-strong town, and the energetic and industrious citizens

 2-4     welcome collectors from miles around; and

 2-5           WHEREAS, The people of Marshall are justifiably proud of

 2-6     their city, for this unique community and its exceptional citizens

 2-7     have played a significant role in Texas' development, and their

 2-8     many contributions to the Lone Star State are truly worthy of

 2-9     special legislative recognition; now, therefore, be it

2-10           RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas

2-11     hereby designate April 1-2, 1997, as Marshall Days at the Capitol

2-12     and extend a warm welcome to the fine citizens who have traveled to

2-13     Austin to celebrate this significant event.