By Sadler H.C.R. No. 122 76R8766 BE-D HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas Legislature is indeed proud to designate 1-2 March 30-31, 1999, as Marshall Days at the State Capitol to honor 1-3 the citizens of that historic community for their contributions to 1-4 the state; and 1-5 WHEREAS, From the time it was first settled in 1839, Marshall 1-6 has offered Texans opportunity and reward; by the mid-1800s, the 1-7 city was one of the largest and wealthiest in the state, with its 1-8 fortunes built on cotton, timber, and the railroads; and 1-9 WHEREAS, Marshall was the first town in Texas to have a 1-10 telegraph, and in 1854 a link with New Orleans gave Texans quick 1-11 access to national events, a real advantage in the grim war years 1-12 to come; and 1-13 WHEREAS, This East Texas community quickly rebounded during 1-14 Reconstruction with the growth of the railroads and a renewed 1-15 commitment to education: Marshall University and Marshall Masonic 1-16 Female Institute were already respected regional centers of 1-17 learning; the openings of Wiley College in 1873 and Bishop College 1-18 in 1881 broadened educational opportunities for all Texans, and the 1-19 addition of East Texas Baptist College in 1914, renamed East Texas 1-20 University in 1984, confirmed the city's dedication to higher 1-21 learning; and 1-22 WHEREAS, Today, the 19th-century and early 20th-century 1-23 buildings that make up the town's Ginocchio National Historic 1-24 District offer visitors a real glimpse into the past, and a number 2-1 of original homes can still be visited, providing tourists a chance 2-2 to sit in the shade of a veranda and marvel at the buildings' 2-3 finely turned woodwork and cut stone; and 2-4 WHEREAS, While the growth of this picturesque community has 2-5 continued through the years, it maintains the small-town virtues 2-6 that are a hallmark of Texas culture; in 1976, Marshall was 2-7 designated an All American City by the National Municipal League, 2-8 and the community is also widely known for its magnificent 2-9 Wonderland of Lights event, which is one of the largest concerted 2-10 holiday light shows in the nation; and 2-11 WHEREAS, The residents of Marshall are justifiably proud of 2-12 their city and their contributions to Texas history, and the Lone 2-13 Star State is justly proud of them and their success; now, 2-14 therefore, be it 2-15 RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-16 hereby designate March 30-31, 1999, as Marshall Days at the Capitol 2-17 and join with the citizens of Marshall in honoring this outstanding 2-18 community; and, be it further 2-19 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-20 prepared for prominent display in the city of Marshall as an 2-21 expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives and 2-22 Senate.