1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 152 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is proud to 1-4 welcome the residents of Rockwall County to the State Capitol 1-5 on February 16, 1999, to celebrate Rockwall County Day; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Located north of Kaufman County in north central 1-7 Texas, Rockwall County is situated mostly in the blackland 1-8 prairie, and cedar, oak, pecan, and bois d'arc grow in the river 1-9 bottom; the county has the highest proportion of arable land of 1-10 any county in the state, with 39 inches of annual rainfall; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Named for the extensive system of subterranean 1-12 walls that protrude above ground in outcroppings unique to the 1-13 area, the rock walls were discovered by settlers drilling for 1-14 water; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Settlement in the area began in 1846, while the 1-16 area was still part of Kaufman County, and Rockwall County was 1-17 formed in 1873; it is the smallest county in Texas; and 1-18 WHEREAS, The county was originally an agricultural and 1-19 ranching center; today the county enjoys a healthy and diverse 1-20 economy with close proximity to the Dallas metroplex area and 1-21 a well-educated and industrious citizenry; and 1-22 WHEREAS, In their award-winning schools, students of 1-23 the area consistently perform better than their peers in state 1-24 and national standardized tests, win top honors in academic 2-1 competitions, and go on to college in large numbers; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Having experienced phenomenal growth in recent 2-3 years, the population has nearly doubled since 1980; currently 2-4 36,000 people live in this lovely county; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Cultural opportunities abound with the 2-6 Rockwall County Historical Museum, the Hubbard Chamber Music 2-7 Series, an art gallery showcasing the work of local and regional 2-8 artists, and musical performances by the local Lakeside Singers; 2-9 and 2-10 WHEREAS, With many recreational options close at hand, 2-11 the county boasts excellent golfing at superb area courses, 2-12 superior sailing at Lake Ray Hubbard, and exceptional fishing; 2-13 and 2-14 WHEREAS, Rockwall County has played a vital role in the 2-15 development of the Lone Star State, and it is a pleasure to 2-16 pay tribute to it; now, therefore, be it 2-17 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-18 76th Legislature, hereby declare Tuesday, February 16, 1999, 2-19 Rockwall County Day at the State Capitol and extend best 2-20 wishes to all its residents on this special occasion; and, be 2-21 it further 2-22 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 2-23 the county as a memento of this special day. 2-24 Cain 2-25 Carona 2-26 ______________________________________ 2-27 President of the Senate 3-1 I hereby certify that the above 3-2 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-3 on February 16, 1999. 3-4 ______________________________________ 3-5 Secretary of the Senate 3-6 ______________________________________ 3-7 Member, Texas Senate 3-8 ______________________________________ 3-9 Member, Texas Senate