By Denny                                               H.R. No. 209
         77R5672 GMW-F                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The House of Representatives of the State of Texas
 1-2     is proud to welcome the residents of Rockwall County to the State
 1-3     Capitol on February 21, 2001, to celebrate Rockwall County Day; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Located north of Kaufman County in north central
 1-5     Texas, Rockwall County is situated mostly in the blackland prairie,
 1-6     and cedar, oak, pecan, and bois d'arc grow in its river bottoms;
 1-7     the county has the highest proportion of arable land of any county
 1-8     in the state, with 39 inches of annual rainfall; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, Rockwall County was named for its extensive system
1-10     of subterranean walls that protrude above ground; these rock wall
1-11     outcroppings are unique to the area and were discovered by settlers
1-12     drilling for water; and
1-13           WHEREAS, Settlement in the area began in 1846, while the area
1-14     was still part of Kaufman County, and Rockwall County was formed in
1-15     1873; it is the smallest county in Texas; and
1-16           WHEREAS, The county was originally an agricultural and
1-17     ranching center; today the county enjoys a healthy and diverse
1-18     economy with proximity to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area and
1-19     a well-educated and industrious citizenry; and
1-20           WHEREAS, In their award-winning schools, students of the area
1-21     consistently perform better than their peers on state and national
1-22     standardized tests, win top honors in academic competitions, and go
1-23     on to college in large numbers; and
1-24           WHEREAS, Having experienced phenomenal growth in recent
 2-1     years, the population has nearly doubled since 1980; currently
 2-2     41,000 people live in this lovely county; and
 2-3           WHEREAS, Business opportunities abound, with the Rockwall
 2-4     Area Chamber of Commerce and the Rockwall Economic Development
 2-5     Corporation working with the county and city governments and
 2-6     various service businesses to build a strong and growing economy;
 2-7     and
 2-8           WHEREAS, With many recreational options close at hand, the
 2-9     county boasts excellent golfing at superb area courses, superior
2-10     sailing at Lake Ray Hubbard, and exceptional fishing; and
2-11           WHEREAS, Rockwall County has made immeasurable contributions
2-12     to the Lone Star State, and it is a pleasure to pay tribute to it;
2-13     now, therefore, be it
2-14           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-15     Legislature hereby recognize February 21, 2001, as Rockwall County
2-16     Day at the State Capitol and extend best wishes to all its
2-17     residents on this special occasion; and, be it further
2-18           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-19     prepared for the county as a memento of this special day.