1-1 By: Sibley S.C.R. No. 52 1-2 (In the Senate - Filed March 18, 1999; March 23, 1999, read 1-3 first time and referred to Committee on Administration; 1-4 April 15, 1999, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 5, 1-5 Nays 0; April 15, 1999, sent to printer.) 1-6 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-7 WHEREAS, The Legislature of the State of Texas is pleased to 1-8 designate Clifton, Texas, as the Norwegian Capital of Texas; and 1-9 WHEREAS, Settled about 1854, the area had as two of its most 1-10 notable settlers Ole Canuteson and Cleng Peerson, who established 1-11 the community of Norse in Bosque County; presently, the largest 1-12 population of Norwegian Americans in the South and Southwest call 1-13 Clifton home; and 1-14 WHEREAS, The special cultural and historical significance of 1-15 Clifton has made it quite well known; the Texas Historical 1-16 Commission designated the town a Texas Main Street City because of 1-17 its atmosphere and famous hospitality; and 1-18 WHEREAS, In preserving the community's colorful past, the 1-19 citizens of Clifton have done an excellent job; the historic Norway 1-20 Mill and the log home of the Joseph Olson family are attractions 1-21 for tourists and residents alike; and 1-22 WHEREAS, The Bosque Memorial Museum, a legacy from immigrant 1-23 farmer Jacob Olson, will help visitors learn more about the early 1-24 settlers in the region; and 1-25 WHEREAS, Our Savior's Lutheran Church hosts an immensely 1-26 popular smorgasbord every Christmas, where people of all ages can 1-27 sample traditional Norwegian dishes, including lutefisk; and 1-28 WHEREAS, King Olav V of Norway visited Clifton in 1982, and a 1-29 part of State Highway 219 has been selected the Cleng Peerson 1-30 Memorial Highway; and 1-31 WHEREAS, The outstanding qualities of this charming and 1-32 colorful town have made Clifton popular with tourists, and it is 1-33 certainly worthy of legislative recognition; now, therefore, be it 1-34 RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas 1-35 hereby name Clifton the Norwegian Capital of Texas and applaud its 1-36 citizens for their notable efforts in preserving the fascinating 1-37 heritage of the area. 1-38 * * * * *