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