1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 383 1-3 WHEREAS, Wichita Falls is a major gateway city for people 1-4 visiting Texas, and in their initial exposure to this great state 1-5 these visitors encounter a distinctive city of some 100,000 1-6 hardworking citizens who are noted for their friendly hospitality 1-7 and strong sense of community; and 1-8 WHEREAS, Traveling from the north, one also beholds the 1-9 impressive new Wichita Falls, 54-feet of attractively terraced 1-10 rocks over which water cascades before merging with the Wichita 1-11 River; and 1-12 WHEREAS, The waterfall replaces a small one that was the 1-13 city's namesake, which washed away over 100 years ago, and it 1-14 symbolizes both the city's frontier past and its progressive 1-15 approach to being a community that is a tribute to its people 1-16 now and in the future; and 1-17 WHEREAS, The area was once the home of the Wichitas, a 1-18 Plains Indian tribe, and the earlier falls were a landmark for 1-19 frontiersmen and explorers; and 1-20 WHEREAS, Wichita Falls traces its birth to September 27, 1882, 1-21 when the first train arrived with prospective buyers for lots in 1-22 the townsite that had been laid out in 1876 by John A. Scott, Jr.; 1-23 and 2-1 WHEREAS, The city soon became an important agriculture, 2-2 cattle, and manufacturing center; in 1909, milling and grain 2-3 shipping were prominent, the Wichita Falls Window Glass Company 2-4 was founded in 1912, and in the 1930s the city produced three 2-5 percent of the nation's window glass; today, PPG Industries 2-6 operates the world's largest float glass plant there; and 2-7 WHEREAS, After the famous Fowler Number 1 struck oil in 2-8 1918 in Burkburnett, petroleum became the leading component of 2-9 the city's economy; and 2-10 WHEREAS, World War I pilots were trained at Call Field, and 2-11 military aviation is still a notable part of the city as it is the 2-12 home of Sheppard Air Force Base; and 2-13 WHEREAS, Wichita Falls public schools are highly regarded, and 2-14 Midwestern State University is widely esteemed for its strong and 2-15 diverse academic programs and for having one of the nation's top 2-16 intercollegiate soccer teams; and 2-17 WHEREAS, Numerous surrounding lakes provide the city with 2-18 abundant water resources and outstanding recreational opportunities; 2-19 and 2-20 WHEREAS, The community spirit of its citizens is responsible 2-21 for the "Fantasy of Lights" at Midwestern State University, 2-22 considered one of the best Christmas light displays in the state, 2-23 which attracts many visitors; and 2-24 WHEREAS, Wichita Falls indeed has many fine qualities 2-25 but its greatest resource is its citizens, and March 25, 1997, 3-1 has been designated Wichita Falls Day to honor them; now, therefore, 3-2 be it 3-3 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 3-4 75th Legislature, hereby recognize March 25, 1997, as Wichita Falls 3-5 Day in Texas to commemorate the many significant contributions of 3-6 its citizens, past and present, to this state's heritage and 3-7 greatness. 3-8 Haywood 3-9 Armbrister Galloway Patterson 3-10 Barrientos Harris Ratliff 3-11 Bivins Lindsay Shapiro 3-12 Brown Lucio Shapleigh 3-13 Cain Luna Sibley 3-14 Carona Madla Truan 3-15 Duncan Moncrief Wentworth 3-16 Ellis Nelson West 3-17 Fraser Nixon Whitmire 3-18 Gallegos Ogden Zaffirini 3-19 Bullock, President of the Senate 3-20 ______________________________________ 3-21 President of the Senate 3-22 I hereby certify that the above 3-23 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-24 on March 26, 1997. 3-25 ______________________________________ 3-26 Secretary of the Senate 3-27 ______________________________________ 3-28 Member, Texas Senate