R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, On February 16, 1999, many proud residents of 1-2 Rockwall County are gathering in Austin to celebrate Rockwall 1-3 County Day at the State Capitol; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Rockwall County is located 25 miles northeast of 1-5 Dallas and is situated on the Blackland Prairies of north central 1-6 Texas; and 1-7 WHEREAS, Created in 1873 from part of Kaufman County, 1-8 Rockwall County has the distinction of being the smallest county in 1-9 the Lone Star State; the county and its namesake county seat were 1-10 named for the unique subterranean system of rock walls found at 1-11 several points within the county; and 1-12 WHEREAS, After settlement began in 1846, the region was 1-13 primarily devoted to ranching and agriculture and for years 1-14 produced large amounts of cotton; a century later, Rockwall County 1-15 shifted away from an agricultural economy with many of its workers 1-16 commuting to neighboring Dallas; and 1-17 WHEREAS, In 1969, Lake Ray Hubbard was created along the 1-18 western border of the county and has since become one of the 1-19 nation's foremost inland sailing waterways; and 1-20 WHEREAS, With its close proximity to the Dallas metroplex and 1-21 many award-winning schools, Rockwall County offers an exceptional 1-22 lifestyle that has greatly contributed to its strong development 1-23 and growth, as is evidenced by a population that has more than 1-24 doubled since 1980 to its current 36,000; and 2-1 WHEREAS, In addition to stellar golf courses and the sailing 2-2 and fishing at scenic Lake Ray Hubbard, Rockwall County also 2-3 features such unique attractions as the Rockwall County Historical 2-4 Museum, the Hubbard Chamber Music Series, an art gallery showcasing 2-5 the work of local and regional artists, musical performances by the 2-6 local Lakeside Singers, and the paddle wheel excursion boat the 2-7 Texas Queen; and 2-8 WHEREAS, Rockwall County continues to be one of the Lone Star 2-9 State's greatest assets and is an outstanding place in which to 2-10 live, work, and raise a family; it is indeed appropriate that the 2-11 citizens of this county be given special recognition at this time; 2-12 now, therefore, be it 2-13 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-14 Legislature hereby recognize February 16, 1999, as Rockwall County 2-15 Day at the Capitol and join the citizens of that county in paying 2-16 tribute to one of Texas' finest communities; and, be it further 2-17 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-18 prepared for the people of Rockwall County as a commemoration of 2-19 the occasion and as an expression of high regard by the Texas House 2-20 of Representatives. Denny _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 152 was adopted by the House on February 16, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House