By Denny                                               H.R. No. 152
         76R5559 GMW-D                           
                                 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.