By Telford H.C.R. No. 257 76R14444 BE-D HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas Legislature takes great pride in 1-2 recognizing May 4, 1999, as Texarkana Day at the State Capitol, for 1-3 the many contributions this grand city has made to the prosperity 1-4 and history of the Lone Star State indeed merit special legislative 1-5 recognition; and 1-6 WHEREAS, This remarkable city has been the focal point of a 1-7 four-state area since even before it was granted a charter by the 1-8 Texas Legislature in 1876; Arkansans, Oklahomans, Louisianians, 1-9 and, of course, Texans have all been rewarded by the buoyant 1-10 optimism and energy of Texarkana; and 1-11 WHEREAS, The city has benefited greatly from its advantageous 1-12 location, as for hundreds of years it was the main line of travel 1-13 from Native American villages in the Mississippi Valley to those 1-14 south and west; with America's westward expansion, successful 1-15 steamboat, stagecoach, and railroad lines intersected with those 1-16 historic trails; and 1-17 WHEREAS, The patterns of economic growth and accomplishment 1-18 that began so long ago are continued in Texarkana today; the city's 1-19 economy has averaged seven percent annual growth for more than 20 1-20 years without a single negative year; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Agriculture, ranching, timber, and manufacturing 1-22 have endowed the city with an enviable infrastructure of schools 1-23 and colleges, health care facilities, and cultural attractions that 1-24 maintain Texarkana's preeminence; and 2-1 WHEREAS, The city's unique position astride the 2-2 Texas-Arkansas border has created a celebrated cooperation of 2-3 county, state, and federal services, making Texarkana the only city 2-4 in the U.S. with three buildings that straddle the state line: 2-5 Union Station, the Bi-State Justice Center, and a federal building 2-6 housing a U.S. post office and district courtrooms all serve the 2-7 citizens of two states; and 2-8 WHEREAS, State Line Avenue is laid exactly along the dividing 2-9 line, and from a position on Photographer's Island in the center of 2-10 the thoroughfare, residents and visitors alike can stand with one 2-11 foot in each state, in the same spot presidents Taft, Kennedy, 2-12 Carter, and Reagan have delivered speeches; and 2-13 WHEREAS, From its one-of-a-kind federal building to the 2-14 beautifully restored Draughn-Moore "Ace of Clubs" House, Texarkana 2-15 is indeed a very special place, and it is truly fitting to join its 2-16 residents in saluting Texarkana at this time; now, therefore, be it 2-17 RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-18 hereby recognize May 4, 1999, as Texarkana Day at the State Capitol 2-19 and extend to that city's many fine residents warmest best wishes 2-20 for continued success and happiness.