By Williamson                                          H.R. No. 628

         75R10870 SAJ-F                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, April 21 and 22, 1997, are Wise County Days at the

 1-2     State Capitol, and the Texas House of Representatives is pleased to

 1-3     join with the citizens of Wise County in honoring their important

 1-4     contributions to our state; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, Wise County was created in 1856 from Cooke County

 1-6     and was named for United States Senator Henry A. Wise, who was an

 1-7     early settler of the area and a proponent of the annexation of

 1-8     Texas; and

 1-9           WHEREAS, The land is watered by the Trinity River, which

1-10     bisects the county from northwest to southeast, providing water for

1-11     the grasslands, wetlands, and agriculture; the county is a leading

1-12     dairy and cattle region as well as a producer of vegetables,

1-13     cantaloupes, watermelons, pecans, and grains; and

1-14           WHEREAS, Well known for its oil and gas production, Wise

1-15     County is also an important source of clays, stone, sand, and

1-16     gravel; and

1-17           WHEREAS, Decatur was selected as a townsite and county seat

1-18     in 1856, and numerous Wise County settlements became important

1-19     stops for the Butterfield Overland Mail Route in the 1880s; and

1-20           WHEREAS, On October 12, 1996, the citizens of Wise County

1-21     celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Wise County Courthouse,

1-22     which was built of pink limestone from Burnet and is considered a

1-23     perfect architectural example of its type and era; and

1-24           WHEREAS, The Wise County Heritage Museum houses archives and

 2-1     mementos of its early history, including Indian artifacts, art, and

 2-2     relics; and

 2-3           WHEREAS, Proud of its colorful history, residents of the area

 2-4     re-create the bygone days each year as they celebrate Chisholm

 2-5     Trail Days, Old Settlers Reunion, Pioneer Days, Cruising Days, and

 2-6     Butterfield Stage Days; and

 2-7           WHEREAS, Noted for its wonderful recreational areas and

 2-8     natural beauty, Wise County beckons visitors to Lake Bridgeport and

 2-9     Eagle Mountain Lake, which are located in rugged but scenic

2-10     country; and

2-11           WHEREAS, These special days are an appropriate occasion for

2-12     the Texas House of Representatives to recognize the citizens of

2-13     Wise County and to commend them for their notable achievements;

2-14     now, therefore, be it

2-15           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-16     Legislature hereby recognize April 21 and 22, 1997, as Wise County

2-17     Days at the State Capitol and join with the members of the visiting

2-18     delegation as they celebrate their county's greatness; and, be it

2-19     further

2-20           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-21     prepared for the citizens of Wise County as an expression of the

2-22     admiration and appreciation of the Texas House of Representatives.