R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The Central Texas community of Copperas Cove is the

 1-2     home of many commendable citizens who take pride in their

 1-3     community's rich heritage and look to the future with a spirit of

 1-4     optimism and progress; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, The area was originally inhabited by Tonkawa

 1-6     Indians, but by the 1840s, the first white settlers began arriving

 1-7     and settled in Ogletree Gap Valley, approximately two miles west of

 1-8     where the town of Copperas Cove stands today; the natural basin,

 1-9     protected by the five surrounding hills, was used primarily as a

1-10     stopover for cattle drives heading east toward the Chisholm Trail;

1-11     and

1-12           WHEREAS, In 1878, one of the town's earliest settlers,

1-13     Marsden Ogletree, built a stagecoach stop in the community, which

1-14     would eventually become the area's first post office, with

1-15     Mr. Ogletree serving as its first postmaster; and

1-16           WHEREAS, Copperas Cove was moved to its present-day location

1-17     with the coming of the Santa Fe Railroad and was named for a

1-18     "copperas-tasting" spring in the cove of a nearby mountain; and

1-19           WHEREAS, The town remained a small community until

1-20     construction began at what was then known as Camp Hood in 1942, and

1-21     since that time, Fort Hood has evolved into the largest military

1-22     installation in the free world, covering 339 square miles; the only

1-23     military post in the United States that has the capability to

1-24     support two full divisions, Fort Hood has had a beneficial

 2-1     influence on its neighbor to the west, and its close proximity has

 2-2     given the residents of Copperas Cove a strong sense of patriotism

 2-3     as well as the multicultural community for which it has become

 2-4     known; and

 2-5           WHEREAS, The city of Copperas Cove offers an abundance of

 2-6     recreational facilities at its 88-acre park, and each spring

 2-7     supports the Five Hills Ride, an annual bicycle tour that has

 2-8     become a favorite of cycling enthusiasts for the scenic beauty and

 2-9     challenging rides it offers participants; and

2-10           WHEREAS, The area supports a number of popular festivals as

2-11     well, including Florence Friendship Days in June; Oktoberfest and

2-12     the Ogletree Gap Folklife Festival in October; the Diamond Back

2-13     Jubilee in Lometa held each March; Cinco de Mayo festivities and

2-14     Rabbit Fest each May; and Sausage Fest each November; and

2-15           WHEREAS, The citizens of Copperas Cove have made this

2-16     innovative and modern community a town that still takes pride in

2-17     traditional values and a high quality of life, and their

2-18     accomplishments truly merit the commendation of the Texas House of

2-19     Representatives; now, therefore, be it

2-20           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-21     Legislature hereby recognize February 25, 1997, as Copperas Cove

2-22     Day at the State Capitol, welcome the proud residents of Copperas

2-23     Cove on their visit to Austin, and commend them for their exemplary

2-24     achievement in building one of Texas' finest communities.

                                                                       Place

                                             _______________________________

                                                   Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.R. No. 204 was adopted by the House on

         February 25, 1997, by a non-record vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House