HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, The cultural and economic contributions of Franklin 1-2 County to the State of Texas have been of great importance, and on 1-3 March 2, 1999, a delegation of citizens from this proud region will 1-4 be in Austin to celebrate their ties to the past and future of 1-5 Texas; and 1-6 WHEREAS, The northeast corner of the state is rich in both 1-7 historic and prehistoric drama; from early Native Americans drawn 1-8 by the lush woodlands and inexhaustible water, to a new nation's 1-9 first westward settlers eager for land and opportunity, this 1-10 remarkable area of the state still offers individuals many of the 1-11 same attractions today; and 1-12 WHEREAS, Franklin County was mapped in March of 1875 and 1-13 named after Benjamin C. Franklin, an early Lone Star settler; with 1-14 Mount Vernon as the county seat, citizens began the traditions of 1-15 hard work and determination that made the first timber and farming 1-16 operations so successful; and 1-17 WHEREAS, Cotton and corn, oil and coal, stock animals, and 1-18 lumber were the initial drives to prosperity, but the residents of 1-19 Franklin County set their sights on industry as well; since the 1-20 establishment of the Franklin County Industrial Foundation in the 1-21 early 1960s, manufacturing has played an increasingly important 1-22 role in the county's fortunes, and Mount Vernon has been named a 1-23 "Lone Star City," a designation granted to cities with a viable 1-24 economic development plan; and 2-1 WHEREAS, Huntington-Pacific Ceramics and Lowe's Distribution 2-2 Center are but two of the many important ventures doing business in 2-3 Franklin County as the 20th century comes to a close; the area is 2-4 still among the state's top counties in dairy and broiler 2-5 production, and the farming of blueberries and Christmas trees 2-6 complements more traditional cash crops such as hay, sorghum, and 2-7 soybeans; and 2-8 WHEREAS, With an impressive infrastructure for utilities and 2-9 transportation, the county is geared for even greater development; 2-10 most importantly, Franklin County has dedicated tremendous 2-11 resources to students and education, and today the countywide Mount 2-12 Vernon Independent School District is recognized throughout the 2-13 state for its high academic achievement; and 2-14 WHEREAS, For more than 120 years the citizens of Franklin 2-15 County have played an important role in the economic and cultural 2-16 histories of Texas; while they look back with justifiable 2-17 satisfaction, the future surely looks even brighter, and their many 2-18 exceptional contributions to the Lone Star State are indeed worthy 2-19 of special legislative recognition and praise; now, therefore, be 2-20 it 2-21 RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-22 hereby recognize March 2, 1999, as Franklin County Day at the State 2-23 Capitol and extend to the county's citizens sincere best wishes for 2-24 continued success and happiness. Ramsay _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 15 was adopted by the House on March 2, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 15 was adopted by the Senate on March 2, 1999, by a viva-voce vote. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor