R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, Many proud residents of the city of Palestine will

 1-2     be in Austin on February 20, 1997, to celebrate Palestine Day at

 1-3     the Capitol; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, The hub of Anderson County, Palestine has been a key

 1-5     marketing and distribution point for East Texas residents since the

 1-6     mid 1840s; the city's history dates back to the early 1830s when

 1-7     the Reverend Daniel Parker led a delegation of 36 followers and

 1-8     their families to this frontier region, establishing one of the

 1-9     earliest Baptist congregations in Texas; and

1-10           WHEREAS, Tourists can get a glimpse of the area's past at the

1-11     Museum for East Texas Culture, which houses a variety of artifacts

1-12     native to this fascinating region; the Texas State Railroad State

1-13     Historical Park is the boarding point for a trip back in time

1-14     aboard an antique steam train, as travelers chug through 25 miles

1-15     of dense woodlands to the neighboring city of Rusk; and

1-16           WHEREAS, A haven for nature lovers, Anderson County's

1-17     11,000-acre Engeling Wildlife Management Area and the Palestine

1-18     Community Forest provide excellent opportunities for outdoor

1-19     recreational activities in a picturesque surrounding; pristine

1-20     lakes are sprinkled among Palestine's majestic stands of pine and

1-21     dogwood, and the 200-acre Davey Dogwood Park offers superb scenery

1-22     and is a featured attraction of the annual Texas Dogwood Trails

1-23     event; and

1-24           WHEREAS, Palestine is also home to NASA's Scientific Balloon

 2-1     Base, which conducts important studies of our planet's upper

 2-2     atmosphere as well as outer space; science devotees of all ages can

 2-3     tour the facility with one of NASA's tour guides and learn more

 2-4     about this exciting program; and

 2-5           WHEREAS, A perfect blend of history, nature, and technology,

 2-6     Palestine is a prosperous community that is as proud of its

 2-7     heritage as it is eager to navigate into the future, and the

 2-8     members of this chamber take great pleasure in welcoming the

 2-9     citizens of Palestine to Austin and in saluting this fine Texas

2-10     community; now, therefore, be it

2-11           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-12     Legislature hereby recognize February 20, 1997, as Palestine Day at

2-13     the Capitol and extend sincere best wishes to all of that

2-14     community's residents on this significant occasion; and, be it

2-15     further

2-16           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-17     prepared for the citizens of Palestine as an expression of high

2-18     regard by the Texas House of Representatives.

                                                                     Staples

                                             _______________________________

                                                   Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.R. No. 170 was adopted by the House on

         February 20, 1997, by a non-record vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House