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