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