HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas Legislature is proud to join the citizens 1-2 of Paris, Texas, in joyous celebration of Paris-Lamar County Day at 1-3 the Capitol on February 25, 1999; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Located in the heart of the Red River Valley, Paris 1-5 was founded in 1839 on the divide between the Red and Sulphur 1-6 rivers and became the Lamar County seat five years later; and 1-7 WHEREAS, The community was incorporated in 1845 and grew in 1-8 importance and population as it became a railroad hub; it continues 1-9 to play a major role in our state's economic vitality today as the 1-10 trade, medical, education, and industrial center of Northeast 1-11 Texas; and 1-12 WHEREAS, The strength of the area's economy lies in a solid 1-13 industrial base; the community is home to four major Fortune 500 1-14 manufacturers, and more than 20 percent of its labor force is 1-15 employed in the manufacturing sector; and 1-16 WHEREAS, Paris also is the home of two renowned health care 1-17 facilities, Christus St. Joseph's Health Services and McCuistion 1-18 Regional Medical Center, which serve Northeast Texas and a large 1-19 portion of Southeastern Oklahoma as well; and 1-20 WHEREAS, The community is justifiably proud of its fine 1-21 educational facilities; Paris Junior College addresses the higher 1-22 education needs of the area and has expanded its campuses to 1-23 nearby Sulphur Springs and Greenville, and Lamar County also takes 1-24 immense pride in its five outstanding public school systems; and 2-1 WHEREAS, Paris was deemed best small city in Texas by Kevin 2-2 Heubusch in his book The New Rating Guide to Life in America's 2-3 Small Cities; and 2-4 WHEREAS, The city draws many visitors who come to enjoy its 2-5 vast array of natural and cultural resources; the second-largest 2-6 Paris in the world, the city has benefited from the rich European 2-7 culture of its namesake as seen in the lovely Culbertson Fountain 2-8 in the heart of downtown; and 2-9 WHEREAS, Holding the unofficial designation as the Crape 2-10 Myrtle City of Texas since 1936, Paris received the official Crape 2-11 Myrtle City of Texas designation by a concurrent resolution of the 2-12 Texas House of Representatives and Senate in 1997; and 2-13 WHEREAS, Lakes Crook and Pat Mayse offer sports enthusiasts a 2-14 wide variety of recreational opportunities, while the community's 2-15 Sam Bell Maxey State Historic Structure and its many other historic 2-16 sites impart a sense of the town's vibrant heritage; and 2-17 WHEREAS, Rich in culture and tradition, Paris is a 2-18 prosperous, forward-looking community and a leading participant in 2-19 the state's dynamic growth, and it gives the Texas Legislature 2-20 great pleasure to join with our fellow citizens in saluting this 2-21 fine Texas community; now, therefore, be it 2-22 RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-23 hereby designate February 25, 1999, as Paris-Lamar County Day at 2-24 the Capitol and extend best wishes to all of the community's 2-25 residents on this noteworthy occasion; and, be it further 2-26 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-27 prepared for the citizens of Paris as an expression of high regard 3-1 by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate. Homer _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 107 was adopted by the House on February 25, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 107 was adopted by the Senate on March 1, 1999, by a viva-voce vote. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor