By Lewis of Orange                                    H.C.R. No. 81
         76R6114 MDM-F                           
                             HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Sabine River Authority of Texas marks a historic
 1-2     milestone in 1999 as it commemorates 50 years of service to
 1-3     residents of East Texas, and it is appropriate that the Texas
 1-4     Legislature recognize this worthy organization; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, In 1949, the Texas Legislature created the Sabine
 1-6     River Authority as a conservation and reclamation district to
 1-7     control, store, preserve, and distribute for all useful purposes
 1-8     the water of the Sabine River and its tributary streams; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, From its initial purchase of the Orange County Water
1-10     Company, which consisted of a pumping plant and 150-mile canal
1-11     distribution network, the district has continued to grow and
1-12     develop water resources in the Sabine Basin for the benefit of area
1-13     citizens as well as those throughout the state; and
1-14           WHEREAS, Major projects accomplished during the laudable
1-15     history of the district include Iron Bridge Dam and Lake Tawakoni,
1-16     a 36,700-acre reservoir, completed in 1960;  Toledo Bend Dam and
1-17     185,000-acre reservoir with 80 megawatts of hydroelectric capacity,
1-18     completed in 1970; and Lake Fork Dam and 27,800-acre reservoir,
1-19     completed in 1980; in addition, an Environmental Services Division
1-20     was created to oversee water quality issues in the Sabine Basin;
1-21     and
1-22           WHEREAS, The construction and development of these facilities
1-23     has been financed with revenues derived from the sale of water and
1-24     hydroelectric revenue bonds and has required no tax, state
 2-1     appropriations, or federal money; and
 2-2           WHEREAS, Since its inception, the district has been
 2-3     successfully guided by the visionary leadership of two exceptional
 2-4     general managers and an outstanding board of directors; John W.
 2-5     Simmons served as general manager from March 15, 1956, to August
 2-6     31, 1978, and Sam F. Collins directed the organization from
 2-7     September 1, 1978, to August 31, 1998; the board is composed of
 2-8     representatives from its 21-county area; and
 2-9           WHEREAS, For half a century, the Sabine River Authority of
2-10     Texas has developed and provided a dependable source of water and
2-11     electric power for the residents of the Sabine Basin and the Lone
2-12     Star State, and in doing so, it has been of great benefit to Texas;
2-13     now, therefore, be it
2-14           RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas
2-15     commend the Sabine River Authority of Texas for providing 50 years
2-16     of exceptional service to its many satisfied constituents and
2-17     extend to its board of directors, staff, and employees sincere best
2-18     wishes for many more years of continued success; and, be it further
2-19           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-20     prepared for the Sabine River Authority of Texas as an expression
2-21     of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate.