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.