R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, On March 15, 1999, the Texas House of 1-2 Representatives will join many proud residents of Hamilton County 1-3 in paying tribute to this fine county; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Rolling prairies and flat-topped buttes make up much 1-5 of the geography of Hamilton County, providing spectacular vistas 1-6 as the Leon, Lampasas, and Bosque rivers thread their way through 1-7 limestone cliffs and across the intervening plains; and 1-8 WHEREAS, These well-watered pastures, dotted with stands of 1-9 oak, elm, and cedar, provided cover and food for the great herds of 1-10 buffalo that once roamed here; drawn by the abundance of game and 1-11 water, nomadic Tonkawa and Comanche Indians hunted the area, and 1-12 several early burial mounds have been found marking their presence; 1-13 and 1-14 WHEREAS, In 1854 Robert Carter and his family settled in the 1-15 area, and the town of Hamilton was soon established; the Texas 1-16 Legislature officially marked the boundaries for the county in 1-17 1856, and two years later Hamilton was made the county seat; and 1-18 WHEREAS, The same conditions that provided for so many deer 1-19 and buffalo have also provided for county ranchers, who long ago 1-20 recognized the grazing potential of Hamilton County's fertile river 1-21 valleys; and 1-22 WHEREAS, This prosperous county has long based much of its 1-23 fortune on agriculture, primarily ranching and dairy ventures 1-24 teamed with cotton and grain farming; today, more than $30 million 2-1 in revenue is generated by Hamilton County farmers and ranchers, 2-2 though wood, steel, and garment industries are growing in 2-3 importance; and 2-4 WHEREAS, Area residents have given admirable support to 2-5 education, and the Evant, Cransfill Gap, and Hico schools are all 2-6 rated as "Recognized" districts by the Texas Education Agency, as 2-7 is the campus of Hamilton High School, which also won the Lone Star 2-8 Cup given to the top 2A school in the state for its outstanding 2-9 excellence in academic and athletic competition; and 2-10 WHEREAS, Hamilton County offers residents and visitors alike 2-11 a great deal to see and do, from "Billy the Kid Day" in April at 2-12 Hico's Billy the Kid Museum, to Hamilton's Dove Festival, which 2-13 recognizes the town's status as the Dove Capital of Texas each 2-14 September; and 2-15 WHEREAS, With friendly residents rooted deeply in Texas 2-16 tradition, burgeoning industries, and quality schools, Hamilton 2-17 County is a great place in which to live, work, and raise a family, 2-18 and it is justly fitting to recognize its many attributes at this 2-19 time; now, therefore, be it 2-20 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-21 Legislature hereby recognize March 15, 1999, as Hamilton County Day 2-22 at the Capitol and extend a warm welcome to the delegation of 2-23 residents who are visiting on this day. Lengefeld _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 402 was adopted by the House on March 15, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House