By:  Sibley                                           S.C.R. No. 52
         99S0860/1                           
                            SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Legislature of the State of Texas is pleased to
 1-2     designate Clifton, Texas, as the Norwegian Capital of Texas; and
 1-3           WHEREAS, Settled about 1854, the area had as two of its most
 1-4     notable settlers Ole Canuteson and Cleng Peerson, who established
 1-5     the community of Norse in Bosque County; presently, the largest
 1-6     population of Norwegian Americans in the South and Southwest call
 1-7     Clifton home; and
 1-8           WHEREAS, The special cultural and historical significance of
 1-9     Clifton has made it quite well known; the Texas Historical
1-10     Commission designated the town a Texas Main Street City because of
1-11     its atmosphere and famous hospitality; and
1-12           WHEREAS, In preserving the community's colorful past, the
1-13     citizens of Clifton have done an excellent job; the historic Norway
1-14     Mill and the log home of the Joseph Olson family are attractions
1-15     for tourists and residents alike; and
1-16           WHEREAS, The Bosque Memorial Museum, a legacy from immigrant
1-17     farmer Jacob Olson, will help visitors learn more about the early
1-18     settlers in the region; and
1-19           WHEREAS, Our Savior's Lutheran Church hosts an immensely
1-20     popular smorgasbord every Christmas, where people of all ages can
1-21     sample traditional Norwegian dishes, including lutefisk; and
1-22           WHEREAS, King Olav V of Norway visited Clifton in 1982, and a
1-23     part of State Highway 219 has been selected the Cleng Peerson
 2-1     Memorial Highway; and
 2-2           WHEREAS, The outstanding qualities of this charming and
 2-3     colorful town have made Clifton popular with tourists, and it is
 2-4     certainly worthy of legislative recognition; now, therefore, be it
 2-5           RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas
 2-6     hereby name Clifton the Norwegian Capital of Texas and applaud its
 2-7     citizens for their notable efforts in preserving the fascinating
 2-8     heritage of the area.