By McCall H.R. No. 164 76R5547 JBR-D 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.