By Glaze                                               H.R. No. 665

         75R12422 JTR-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, On April 22, 1997, many proud residents of Van Zandt

 1-2     County will gather in Austin to celebrate Van Zandt County Day at

 1-3     the State Capitol, and this festive occasion offers an ideal

 1-4     opportunity to extol this unique region's many attributes; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, Van Zandt County was home to some of the earliest

 1-6     Texans; archaeological evidence suggests that the area has been

 1-7     continuously inhabited for more than 10,000 years, and by the time

 1-8     of the arrival of the first settlers, the predominant local

 1-9     civilization was that of the Caddo Indians; and

1-10           WHEREAS, Established by the legislature in 1848, the county

1-11     was named for Republic of Texas leader Isaac Van Zandt; largely

1-12     populated by southerners who supported the Confederate cause during

1-13     the Civil War, it was also home to a vocal antislavery minority of

1-14     Europeans and small farmers, and their reputation as staunch

1-15     Unionists resulted in the county being nicknamed "The Free State of

1-16     Van Zandt"; and

1-17           WHEREAS, Blessed with abundant natural resources, Van Zandt

1-18     County is a crucial source of oil and gas, as well as of a diverse

1-19     assortment of agricultural products, including cattle, hogs, hay,

1-20     and sweet potatoes, and the significance of salt as a mainstay of

1-21     the local economy is aptly embodied in Grand Saline's Salt Palace,

1-22     a building constructed entirely of this essential mineral; and

1-23           WHEREAS, The natural riches of the region are complemented by

1-24     its dynamic and public-spirited population, and although the county

 2-1     enjoys proximity to the amenities of the Metroplex area, its

 2-2     residents still practice the virtues of small-town warmth and

 2-3     friendliness with friends and strangers alike; and

 2-4           WHEREAS, Van Zandt County's many attractions have made it a

 2-5     popular destination for travellers from across the nation, and such

 2-6     lively and entertaining events as the Edom Art Fair, Canton's First

 2-7     Monday Trade Days, and Grand Saline's Salt Festival and Rodeo

 2-8     ensure the enjoyment of vacationing visitors; and

 2-9           WHEREAS, Even as the residents of Van Zandt County take pride

2-10     and satisfaction in their rich and colorful history, they look

2-11     forward to the challenges and opportunities that await them in the

2-12     years to come, and by all indications their future will indeed be a

2-13     bright one; now, therefore, be it

2-14           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-15     Legislature hereby recognize April 22, 1997, as Van Zandt County

2-16     Day at the Capitol and extend a warm welcome to the visiting

2-17     members of the Van Zandt County delegation; and, be it further

2-18           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-19     prepared for the Van Zandt County delegation as an expression of

2-20     high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.