HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Nine Flags Festival held annually in Nacogdoches
 1-2     is an exciting and one-of-a-kind event that serves to promote
 1-3     public awareness about the rich heritage of Nacogdoches County; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Sponsored by the Nine Flags Festival Board, Inc.,
 1-5     this noteworthy occasion is held the first two weekends in December
 1-6     at the Plaza Principal Square in downtown Nacogdoches; attendees
 1-7     are treated to exhibits, home tours, music, theater, arts and
 1-8     crafts, storytelling, children's activities, a lighted Christmas
 1-9     parade, and much more; and
1-10           WHEREAS, The flags flying over the festival are reproductions
1-11     of the nine different flags that have flown over Nacogdoches since
1-12     the 18th century; these represent various time periods, countries,
1-13     and individuals, including: France, early 1700s; Spain, 1770 to
1-14     1821; Magee-Gutierrez, 1812; Dr. James Long, 1819; Mexico, 1821 to
1-15     1826; Fredonia Rebellion, 1826; Texas Republic, 1836 to 1845;
1-16     Confederate States, 1861 to 1865; and the United States, 1845 to
1-17     present; and
1-18           WHEREAS, During the festival's inaugural year the Spanish
1-19     flag was honored, and that occasion included a visit from the
1-20     ambassador of Spain and the erection of a bronze statue of Antonio
1-21     Gil Y'Barbo, the Father of Nacogdoches; another statue that was
1-22     erected was one of Thomas J. Rusk, who was one of the signers of
1-23     the Texas Declaration of Independence; this year's event in
1-24     December 2001 will see the French flag honored; and
 2-1           WHEREAS, The Nine Flags Festival Board has made numerous
 2-2     contributions to the Downtown Business Association and to Historic
 2-3     Nacogdoches Inc. for historic preservation, Millards Crossing
 2-4     Historic Village, and the World War II Memorial in Washington,
 2-5     D.C.; moreover, it has brought to fruition a permanent exhibit on
 2-6     the Caddo Indians that is located in the Historic Town Center; and
 2-7           WHEREAS, The Nine Flags Festival has educated countless
 2-8     Nacogdoches County residents and tourists about the historic flags
 2-9     that flew over the region and of the noteworthy eras, individuals,
2-10     and countries they represent, and this unique event is most
2-11     deserving of legislative recognition; now, therefore, be it
2-12           RESOLVED, That the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas
2-13     hereby commend all those associated with the Nine Flags Festival
2-14     for their substantial efforts to commemorate the history of
2-15     Nacogdoches County and extend to them sincere best wishes for an
2-16     exciting event.
                                                                   Christian
         _______________________________     _______________________________
             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.C.R. No. 239 was adopted by the House on
         April 25, 2001, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House
               I certify that H.C.R. No. 239 was adopted by the Senate on
         May 17, 2001, by a viva-voce vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Secretary of the Senate
         APPROVED:  __________________________
                              Date
                    __________________________
                            Governor