HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, Many proud residents of Rusk County will be in 1-2 Austin February 9-10, 1999, to celebrate Rusk County Days at the 1-3 State Capitol, and this festive event offers an ideal opportunity 1-4 to recognize the county's many remarkable attributes; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Situated in East Texas near the Louisiana border, 1-6 Rusk County's dense timberland and red clay hills are the point of 1-7 origin for the Sabine and Angelina rivers, and the area's 1-8 picturesque beauty is rivaled only by the richness of its natural 1-9 resources; and 1-10 WHEREAS, For many years, the county's primary economic 1-11 activity was agriculture; fruit and sugar cane were grown in 1-12 abundance, and cotton's importance to the community was such that 1-13 for years it was considered legal tender; and 1-14 WHEREAS, The reign of King Cotton abruptly ended in 1930, 1-15 when Columbus Marion "Dad" Joiner drilled into what was then the 1-16 largest oil field in the world, and since that time the petroleum 1-17 industry has been a mainstay of the local economy; in more recent 1-18 years manufacturing firms and correctional institutions have also 1-19 contributed to the region's prosperity; and 1-20 WHEREAS, Residents of Rusk County take justifiable pride in 1-21 its colorful past, and this trait is reflected in the area's many 1-22 historical exhibits and attractions, including the Depot Museum, 1-23 the Howard Dickinson House Museum, and the legendary Arnold 1-24 Outhouse; and 2-1 WHEREAS, Each year, the second weekend in November brings the 2-2 county's Heritage Syrup Festival, and the talented artisans and 2-3 craftspeople who gather in the Depot Museum complex to show their 2-4 wares represent the living legacy of the area's vital and varied 2-5 cultural traditions; and 2-6 WHEREAS, Rusk County continues to be one of the Lone Star 2-7 State's greatest assets, and even as its dynamic citizens look back 2-8 with satisfaction on their proud history, they can also look 2-9 forward with anticipation to the new challenges and opportunities 2-10 that lie ahead; now, therefore, be it 2-11 RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-12 hereby welcome the Rusk County delegation on the occasion of Rusk 2-13 County Days at the Capitol and extend to them sincere best wishes 2-14 for continued success and happiness in the future; and, be it 2-15 further 2-16 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-17 prepared for the delegation as an expression of high regard by the 2-18 Texas House of Representatives and Senate. Sadler _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 52 was adopted by the House on February 10, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 52 was adopted by the Senate on February 11, 1999, by a viva-voce vote. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor