By: Cain, Carona S.R. No. 199 1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is proud to 1-4 welcome the residents of Rockwall County to the State Capitol 1-5 on February 19, 1997, to celebrate Rockwall County Day; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Located north of Kaufman County in north 1-7 central Texas, Rockwall County is situated mostly in the blackland 1-8 prairie, and cedar, oak, pecan, and bois d'arc grow in the river 1-9 bottom; the county has the highest proportion of arable land of 1-10 any county in the state, with 39 inches of annual rainfall; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Named for the extensive system of subterranean 1-12 walls that protrude above ground in outcroppings unique to the 1-13 area, the rock walls were discovered by settlers drilling for 1-14 water; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Settlement in the area began in 1846, while the 1-16 area was still part of Kaufman County, and Rockwall County was 1-17 formed in 1873; it is the smallest county in Texas; and 1-18 WHEREAS, The economy was originally an agricultural and 1-19 ranching center; today the county enjoys a healthy and diverse 1-20 economy with close proximity to the Dallas metroplex area and 1-21 a well-educated and industrious citizenry; and 1-22 WHEREAS, In their award-winning schools, students of the 1-23 area consistently perform better than their peers in state and 2-1 national standardized tests, win top honors in academic 2-2 competitions, and go on to college in large numbers; and 2-3 WHEREAS, Having experienced phenomenal growth in recent 2-4 years, the population has nearly doubled since 1980; currently 2-5 34,000 people live in this lovely county; and 2-6 WHEREAS, Cultural opportunities abound with the 2-7 Rockwall County Historical Museum, the Hubbard Chamber Music 2-8 Series, an art gallery showcasing the work of local and regional 2-9 artists, and musical performances by the local Lakeside Singers; 2-10 and 2-11 WHEREAS, With many recreational options close at hand, the 2-12 county boasts excellent golfing at superb area courses, superior 2-13 sailing at Lake Ray Hubbard, and exceptional fishing; and 2-14 WHEREAS, Rockwall County has played a vital role in the 2-15 development of the Lone Star State, and it is a pleasure to 2-16 pay tribute to it; now, therefore, be it 2-17 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-18 75th Legislature, hereby declare Wednesday, February 19, 1997, 2-19 Rockwall County Day at the State Capitol and extend best wishes 2-20 to all its residents on this special occasion; and, be it further 2-21 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 2-22 the county as a memento of this special day. 2-23 ______________________________________ 2-24 President of the Senate 2-25 I hereby certify that the above 2-26 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-27 on February 19, 1997. 2-28 ______________________________________ 3-1 Secretary of the Senate 3-2 ______________________________________ 3-3 Member, Texas Senate 3-4 ______________________________________ 3-5 Member, Texas Senate