R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to join
 1-2     the fine citizens of Collin County in celebration of Collin County
 1-3     Day at the State Capitol on February 24, 1999; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Located on the Blackland Prairie of Northeast Texas,
 1-5     Collin County was created from Fannin County in 1846; both the
 1-6     county and the county seat, McKinney, were named in honor of
 1-7     pioneer settler Collin McKinney, one of the signers of the Texas
 1-8     Declaration of Independence; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, The region's fertile soil and long growing season
1-10     have combined to make the county a major agricultural producer of
1-11     wheat, corn, grain sorghum, and cotton, and local ranchers have
1-12     added beef cattle, sheep, and horses to the county's booming
1-13     agribusiness industry; and
1-14           WHEREAS, Visitors can learn more about the area's rich
1-15     agricultural history at the Collin County Youth and Farm Museum in
1-16     McKinney, while the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife
1-17     Sanctuary showcases the flora, fauna, and geology of the region;
1-18     other attractions in the county seat include the Victorian and
1-19     Greek Revival homes of Chestnut Square, the Old Post Office Museum,
1-20     Storybook Ranch, and Finch Park, which features the restored home
1-21     of Collin McKinney; and
1-22           WHEREAS, Just south of McKinney is the burgeoning city of
1-23     Plano, one of the state's fastest growing cities and the site of
1-24     the famed Southfork Ranch featured in the long-running television
 2-1     series Dallas; in recent years, the city has become known as the
 2-2     "Balloon Capital of Texas" for its role in hosting hot air  balloon
 2-3     races each fall; and
 2-4           WHEREAS, Outdoor recreational opportunities abound in Collin
 2-5     County, and the crown jewel of the county's many parks and
 2-6     waterways is the beautiful Lake Lavon; this 21,000-acre Corps of
 2-7     Engineers reservoir offers visitors a number of boat ramps,
 2-8     swimming beaches, marina services, and parks, as well as a special
 2-9     riding trail for motorcycle enthusiasts; and
2-10           WHEREAS, The people of Collin County can take justifiable
2-11     pride in their community's heritage and look forward to the future
2-12     with great anticipation; this unique county and its citizens have
2-13     played a significant role in Texas' development, and their many
2-14     contributions to the Lone Star State are indeed deserving of
2-15     special legislative recognition; now, therefore, be it
2-16           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-17     Legislature hereby recognize February 24, 1999, as Collin County
2-18     Day at the State Capitol and join with the residents of that county
2-19     in celebration of one of Texas' finest communities.
                                                                      McCall
                                                                      Madden
                                                                       Denny
                                             _______________________________
                                                   Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.R. No. 164 was adopted by the House on
         February 24, 1999, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House