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.