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