HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, Many proud residents of Panola County are visiting 1-2 the State Capitol on March 19-20, 2001, to celebrate their county's 1-3 important role in the annals of the Lone Star State; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Situated in the Timberlands of Northeast Texas and 1-5 bordering Louisiana, the area attracted heavy settlement in the 1-6 years following the Texas Revolution; in 1846 the legislature 1-7 created Panola County out of Shelby and Harrison counties, and in 1-8 1848 Carthage became the county seat; and 1-9 WHEREAS, Panola County enjoys a diversified economy, based on 1-10 oil and gas, timber, agriculture, and manufacturing; the county 1-11 claims one of the largest gas condensate fields in the world and 1-12 ranks as one of the state's leading broiler producers; other 1-13 agricultural staples include beef cattle, dairy products, hay, 1-14 silage, and truck crops; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Endowed with extensive forests, Toledo Bend 1-16 Reservoir, lakes Martin and Murvaul, and the Sabine River, Panola 1-17 County offers abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation, as 1-18 well as beautiful countryside for tranquil scenic drives; and 1-19 WHEREAS, Carthage, considered one of "The 100 Best Small 1-20 Towns in America" by writer Norman Crampton, is home to Panola 1-21 College and a fine medical center; the Panola County Heritage 1-22 Museum and the Panola County Historical Jail Museum offer visitors 1-23 a variety of local history exhibits, in addition to a genealogical 1-24 research center and an East Texas oral history archive; and 2-1 WHEREAS, Country singers Tex Ritter and "Gentleman" Jim 2-2 Reeves, both natives of Panola County, are also commemorated in 2-3 Carthage, Ritter by a museum devoted to his career and Reeves by a 2-4 marker and monument at his grave; moreover, the Texas Country Music 2-5 Hall of Fame has recently opened in one of the town's lovely older 2-6 homes; and 2-7 WHEREAS, The industrious residents of this historic Texas 2-8 county are preserving the best of their past and looking forward to 2-9 the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, and it is indeed 2-10 fitting that they be recognized at this time; now, therefore, be it 2-11 RESOLVED, That the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-12 hereby designate March 19-20, 2001, as Panola County Days at the 2-13 State Capitol and extend to the delegation here today sincere best 2-14 wishes for an enjoyable and memorable visit. Sadler _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 220 was adopted by the House on March 20, 2001, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 220 was adopted by the Senate on March 20, 2001, by a viva-voce vote. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: __________________________ Date __________________________ Governor