By Sadler                                            H.C.R. No. 220
         77R9618 MMS-D                           
                             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.