SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, The Legislature of the State of Texas joins the 1-2 residents of Wood County in declaring Wednesday, April 28, 1999, as 1-3 Wood County Day; and 1-4 WHEREAS, A county of rural charm and natural beauty, Wood 1-5 County is located in Northeast Texas at the western edge of the 1-6 pine belt; the land is hilly and heavily forested and is drained by 1-7 the Sabine River and its tributaries; and 1-8 WHEREAS, Created from Van Zandt County in 1850, the county 1-9 was named for Governor George T. Wood; the area was home to the 1-10 Caddo Indians until the 1820s and 1830s when settlers began 1-11 arriving; Webster, the first village in the area, was established 1-12 in 1845, and the first profitable industry was ranching; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Railroads such as the Texas and Pacific and the 1-14 International-Great Northern arrived in the area in the early 1-15 1870s; the Missouri-Pacific arrived in 1882, and with the advent of 1-16 railroad transportation, the lumber industry began to thrive; and 1-17 WHEREAS, A sweet potato curing plant was established in 1913, 1-18 and specialized farming became a major industry; by 1935, the 1-19 county had 101,800 acres in cultivation, and Christmas trees, hay, 1-20 watermelons, poultry, and dairy products were being produced; oil 1-21 was discovered at Hawkins in 1940; and 1-22 WHEREAS, Known today as a recreational and retirement county, 1-23 Wood County is nicknamed "Lake Country" due to its aquatic 1-24 resources, and sportsmen from all over the world are frequent 2-1 visitors; the county's gigantic Lake Fork Reservoir is known as the 2-2 "Best Big Bass Lake in the State"; the state's record largemouth 2-3 bass was caught in the reservoir in 1993; and 2-4 WHEREAS, Communities throughout the county host year-round 2-5 festivities in honor of the county's heritage and foliage; 2-6 festivals include the Quitman Dogwood Fiesta in March, the Hawkins 2-7 Pancake Festival, the Spring Trails in Winnsboro, the Mineola May 2-8 Days Bean Festival, the Fourth of July FreedomFest, the Oil 2-9 Festival in Hawkins in October, and the Winter Trails Christmas 2-10 Parade in Winnsboro; and 2-11 WHEREAS, Governor Hogg Shrine State Park is located in 2-12 Quitman and named for the first native-born governor of Texas, 2-13 James Stephen Hogg; Governor Hogg established the Texas Railroad 2-14 Commission to enforce state antitrust laws and promote fair 2-15 business practices; and 2-16 WHEREAS, In spite of population growth and new development, 2-17 the residents of Wood County have carefully managed to preserve 2-18 natural habitats and historic sites; and 2-19 WHEREAS, Through hard work and clear-sighted goals, the 2-20 citizens of Wood County have contributed significantly to the State 2-21 of Texas and deserve to be proud of their efforts; now, therefore, 2-22 be it 2-23 RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-24 hereby express appreciation to the people of this scenic county and 2-25 extend best wishes to them for a joyous Wood County Day; and, be it 2-26 further 3-1 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared for the 3-2 residents of Wood County as a token of esteem from the Texas 3-3 Legislature. _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 70 was adopted by the Senate on April 28, 1999. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 70 was adopted by the House on April 28, 1999. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House Approved: _______________________________ Date _______________________________ Governor