By: Armbrister S.R. No. 246 1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION 1-3 WHEREAS, The Bastrop Ladies Reading Circle is celebrating 1-4 its 100th anniversary on March 14, 1997, at the Lower Colorado 1-5 River Authority's Cocheron House, and the Texas Senate is pleased 1-6 to extend congratulations to its members as they mark this historic 1-7 milestone; and 1-8 WHEREAS, On September 15, 1897, the Magazine Club in 1-9 Bastrop was organized for the purpose of studying literature; 1-10 Mrs. B. D. Orgain served as the club's first president; club 1-11 membership grew quickly and its name was changed to the Bastrop 1-12 Ladies Reading Club; and 1-13 WHEREAS, In 1900 the members studied United States and 1-14 English history, Othello, and contemporary literature; that 1-15 year the club issued its first yearbook; and 1-16 WHEREAS, The industrious group was interested in providing a 1-17 valuable resource for the community, and in March, 1900, the club 1-18 organized the first Bastrop Public Library with approximately 100 1-19 books available for circulation; and 1-20 WHEREAS, The reading circle has met continuously during 1-21 its 100-year history except for 1943 to 1946 when meetings were 1-22 suspended during World War II; it was a member of the Texas 1-23 Federation of Women's Clubs for many years; and 2-1 WHEREAS, Since its auspicious beginning, the Bastrop Ladies 2-2 Reading Circle has continued to recognize the needs of the city 2-3 and has worked diligently to provide those needs through special 2-4 projects; and 2-5 WHEREAS, The beautiful Ferry Park on the Colorado River bank 2-6 was established by the club in May, 1956, for all to enjoy; when 2-7 funds for the ambitious project were exhausted, the reading club 2-8 turned the park over to the city for upkeep; and 2-9 WHEREAS, Through the years, the Bastrop Ladies Reading Circle 2-10 has continued to help preserve the history of the early Texas 2-11 settlement originally known as Mina; in 1965, the club purchased 2-12 a building on South Main Street to found the Bastrop Historical 2-13 Museum, which houses many important artifacts of the town's 2-14 earliest days; and 2-15 WHEREAS, The Bastrop Ladies Reading Circle was one of the 2-16 sponsoring organizations responsible for the establishment of 2-17 Literacy Volunteers of America-Bastrop in 1987; never losing 2-18 sight of their original purpose, the members pursue their 2-19 interests in literature while continuing their support of the 2-20 library, museum, and the Literacy Volunteers of America; and 2-21 WHEREAS, This dedicated group of women has served the 2-22 community well, and the members continue to make valuable 2-23 contributions to the citizens of Bastrop; now, therefore, be it 2-24 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-25 75th Legislature, hereby recognize the Bastrop Ladies Reading 3-1 Circle on the grand occasion of its 100th anniversary and extend 3-2 best wishes to the members for a most enjoyable celebration; and, 3-3 be it further 3-4 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 3-5 the distinguished group as an expression of the high regard of 3-6 the Texas Senate. 3-7 ______________________________________ 3-8 President of the Senate 3-9 I hereby certify that the above 3-10 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-11 on February 26, 1997. 3-12 ______________________________________ 3-13 Secretary of the Senate 3-14 ______________________________________ 3-15 Member, Texas Senate