R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Governor George W. Bush and the citizens of Hill 1-2 County will gather on April 24, 1999, for the rededication of the 1-3 Hill County Courthouse, and the members of this chamber join all 1-4 Texans in commemorating this august occasion; and 1-5 WHEREAS, A fire on New Year's Day 1993 devastated the 1-6 Hillsboro landmark that had maintained its reputation for decades 1-7 as the county's social and administrative center; in 1997, citizens 1-8 marked the completion of the exterior restoration of the 1-9 courthouse, and now Hill County residents eagerly anticipate the 1-10 ceremony to reopen the historic building and are ready to celebrate 1-11 at a benefit concert headlined by Willie Nelson, who has generously 1-12 led a number of efforts to contribute to the $10 million 1-13 fund-raising campaign in behalf of the courthouse; and 1-14 WHEREAS, The original three-story edifice was designed in 1-15 1890 by Texas architect W. C. Dodson and is listed in the National 1-16 Register of Historic Places; the impressive courthouse features 1-17 limestone walls, Corinthian columns, mansard roofs, and a unique 1-18 three-tiered clock tower that now houses a new, improved bell that 1-19 will proudly signal the building's return to business; and 1-20 WHEREAS, The people of Hill County have demonstrated an 1-21 unwavering dedication to ensuring that the Hill County Courthouse 1-22 resumes its rightful place in the history of their community, and 1-23 their perseverance and commitment are indeed deserving of special 1-24 recognition at this time; now, therefore, be it 2-1 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-2 Legislature hereby commemorate the rededication of the Hill County 2-3 Courthouse and that all residents of Hill County be commended for 2-4 their diligent efforts to bring their dream to fruition and to 2-5 preserve this historic public building for generations of Texans to 2-6 come; and, be it further 2-7 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-8 prepared for prominent display at the Hill County Courthouse as an 2-9 expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Pitts _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 700 was adopted by the House on April 21, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House