R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The cultural, historical, and economic contributions 1-2 of Shelby County to the State of Texas are of remarkable 1-3 consequence, and on March 17, 1999, the Texas House of 1-4 Representatives will join that county's many proud residents in 1-5 paying tribute to Shelby County; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Set deep in the heart of the East Texas Piney Woods, 1-7 the area was first organized under the Mexican government as 1-8 Tenehaw Municipality; later established as a county by the Congress 1-9 of the Republic of Texas in 1836, it was named for the 1-10 Revolutionary War hero Isaac Shelby and its most important town, 1-11 Nashville, was rechristened Shelbyville; and 1-12 WHEREAS, The county's early history was one of the state's 1-13 most exciting and dramatic, filled with accounts of fierce battles 1-14 between outlaw gangs and determined homesteaders and a long feud 1-15 that escalated into the Regulator-Moderator War; and 1-16 WHEREAS, After peace had been restored, the county seat was 1-17 moved from Shelbyville to the town of Center in 1866; though the 1-18 county courthouse burned in 1882, a new one modeled on an Irish 1-19 castle was completed in 1885 and still graces the town today, and 1-20 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971; 1-21 and 1-22 WHEREAS, Blessed with a wealth of natural resources that 1-23 includes dense stands of forest and rich bottomlands well watered 1-24 by the Sabine and Neches rivers, timber and agricultural interests 2-1 have always been important to the economy of Shelby County; and 2-2 WHEREAS, The county is recognized as one of the state's 2-3 leaders in poultry production and is home to the East Texas Poultry 2-4 Festival; and 2-5 WHEREAS, The most important ingredient in this bright and 2-6 prosperous economy, though, is the citizenry of Shelby County, a 2-7 fine group deeply committed to education, health care, and the 2-8 preservation of their storied past for future generations; and 2-9 WHEREAS, The county can boast of such winning projects as the 2-10 Shelby College Center, the EnviroKids program at the C. H. Daniels 2-11 Intermediate School, and the 4-H Rough Riders' Precision Riding and 2-12 Drill teams, which have taken first place in state competitions for 2-13 20 years and 14 years, respectively; and 2-14 WHEREAS, Shelby County is indeed a noteworthy part of our 2-15 state, and the countless contributions of its residents to Texas 2-16 are truly deserving of special legislative recognition; now, 2-17 therefore, be it 2-18 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-19 Legislature hereby proclaim March 17, 1999, as Shelby County Day at 2-20 the Capitol and join with the citizens of Shelby County in paying 2-21 tribute to this fine area; and, be it further 2-22 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-23 prepared for prominent display in Shelby County as an expression of 2-24 high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Christian _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 390 was adopted by the House on March 17, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House