1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 345 1-3 WHEREAS, March 17, 1997, is the day set aside to honor the 1-4 citizens of Kaufman County for their exceptional contributions 1-5 to the State of Texas; and 1-6 WHEREAS, For the past 150 years, the residents of the area 1-7 have personified the spirit of independence and rugged individualism 1-8 that built a great state; and 1-9 WHEREAS, Occupying a land area of 786.1 square miles in 1-10 northeastern Texas, the county lies partly in the upper Blackland 1-11 prairie and partly in the southeastern post oak belt of the 1-12 East Texas timber country; drained by the Trinity River and 1-13 Cedar Creek, the fertile land yields abundant crops; and 1-14 WHEREAS, The land was first settled by Dr. William P. King 1-15 in late 1840 when he headed a group of 40 people from Holly Springs, 1-16 Mississippi; they came to Texas to begin a new life on land scrip 1-17 that the doctor had acquired, which was used to finance the Texas 1-18 Revolution; the families built a fort near the three forks of the 1-19 Trinity River and named it in the doctor's honor; and 1-20 WHEREAS, Originally a part of the municipality of 1-21 Nacogdoches which included Henderson County, Kaufman County was 1-22 created in 1848 when John H. Reagan drew the petition for its 1-23 organization; the new county was named for David Spangler Kaufman, 2-1 a member of the Texas and United States congresses; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Other settlers were attracted to the area and the 2-3 rapidly growing territory was surveyed so homes could be located 2-4 for the ever-increasing number of families, necessitating political 2-5 organization; after the election of 1851, the county seat was 2-6 located at Kingsborough, and the community was renamed Kaufman; and 2-7 WHEREAS, The first courthouse was a remodeled blacksmith 2-8 shop, but in 1885 a new county courthouse was erected that reflected 2-9 the growth and prosperity of the region; for over 70 years the 2-10 edifice stood as a symbol of the county's proud heritage; a modern 2-11 courthouse was built in 1955 in response to the growth and diversity 2-12 of the economy; and 2-13 WHEREAS, Kaufman County derives most of its agricultural 2-14 income from cattle and horses; hay, nursery plants, peaches, 2-15 cotton, corn, and timber add to its prosperity; the Porter Farm 2-16 near Terrell is the historic site of the origin of the 2-17 United States-Texas Agricultural Extension program; and 2-18 WHEREAS, Antique buffs head for the antique center near 2-19 Forney for that special find while outdoor enthusiasts find 2-20 recreational activities at Cedar Creek and Ray Hubbard lakes; 2-21 Terrell, the county's manufacturing center, is graced with many 2-22 historic homes and is home to Trinity Valley Community College; 2-23 and 2-24 WHEREAS, Because of its proximity to Dallas, Kaufman County 2-25 residents enjoy many of the conveniences available in one of the 3-1 state's major cities while enjoying the family-oriented communities 3-2 that make the county a desirable place to live; and 3-3 WHEREAS, Kaufman County Day at the State Capitol is an 3-4 appropriate occasion for the Texas Senate to recognize the 3-5 residents of Kaufman County and to commend them for their excellent 3-6 accomplishments; now, therefore, be it 3-7 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 3-8 75th Legislature, hereby declare March 17, 1997, Kaufman County 3-9 Day at the State Capitol and join the residents as they celebrate 3-10 their county's greatness. 3-11 Cain 3-12 ______________________________________ 3-13 President of the Senate 3-14 I hereby certify that the above 3-15 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-16 on March 17, 1997. 3-17 ______________________________________ 3-18 Secretary of the Senate 3-19 ______________________________________ 3-20 Member, Texas Senate