By Patterson                                         H.C.R. No. 246

         75R9073 SAJ-D                           

                             HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 1-1           WHEREAS, The Texas Legislature is proud to join the citizens

 1-2     of Hopkins County in the joyous celebration of Hopkins County Day

 1-3     at the State Capitol on May 12, 1997; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, Located in Northeast Texas, the county encompasses

 1-5     793 square miles, and its rich soils produce a variety of native

 1-6     timber, including short leaf pine, black walnut, red cedar,

 1-7     hickory, oak, and pecan; and

 1-8           WHEREAS, Residents take pride in the region's rich heritage;

 1-9     the area was originally home to the Caddo Indians, and in 1842,

1-10     William and Harvey Hargrave established the first permanent

1-11     Anglo-American settlement in the eastern section of the county; and

1-12           WHEREAS, In 1846, Hopkins County was created out of Lamar and

1-13     Nacogdoches counties and was named for the family of pioneer David

1-14     Hopkins; now known as the Dairy Capital of Texas, the county boasts

1-15     about 350 dairies and the acclaimed Southwest Dairy Center, which

1-16     features dioramas, artifacts, and historical documents from the

1-17     industry's earliest days; and

1-18           WHEREAS, The region enjoys a vibrant economy based primarily

1-19     on agriculture; cotton, corn, and oats are its principal crops, and

1-20     vegetables and fruits, most notably strawberries, are grown as

1-21     well; and

1-22           WHEREAS, Residents and visitors alike are drawn to the area's

1-23     vast array of natural and cultural resources; outdoor enthusiasts

1-24     come to partake in the many recreational activities Cooper Lake has

 2-1     to offer, and visitors of all ages learn more about the area by

 2-2     visiting the Hopkins County Museum and Heritage Park or by

 2-3     attending such popular local events as the July 4th Symphony on the

 2-4     Square and fireworks program, the Sulphur Springs Folk Festival,

 2-5     the Hopkins County Dairy Festival, and the Fall Festival, featuring

 2-6     the World Champion Hopkins County Stew Contest; and

 2-7           WHEREAS, In addition, architecture buffs can highlight their

 2-8     visit with a trip to the Hopkins County Courthouse in Sulphur

 2-9     Springs; the Romanesque Revival structure was built from Texas red

2-10     granite and limestone in 1895 and is listed in the National

2-11     Register of Historic Places; and

2-12           WHEREAS, Rich in culture and tradition, Hopkins County is a

2-13     prosperous, forward-looking region and a leading participant in the

2-14     state's dynamic growth, and it is truly a pleasure to salute this

2-15     fine county and its people on this auspicious occasion; now,

2-16     therefore, be it

2-17           RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas

2-18     hereby designate May 12, 1997, as Hopkins County Day at the State

2-19     Capitol and welcome the members of the county's delegation on their

2-20     visit to Austin.