By Hardcastle                                          H.R. No. 267
         77R6345 MJS-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, On February 21, 2001, many proud citizens from
 1-2     Graham will gather in Austin to celebrate Graham Day at the State
 1-3     Capitol; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Situated in North Central Texas, Graham was founded
 1-5     in 1872 and named for prominent landowners and businessmen Gustavus
 1-6     A. and Edwin S. Graham; and
 1-7           WHEREAS, Serving as the county seat of Young County, the city
 1-8     has undergone many changes through the years; its early history was
 1-9     closely associated with the Texas cattle industry: the
1-10     Goodnight-Loving cattle trail originated in Young County, and the
1-11     Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, originally the
1-12     Stock-Raisers' Association of North-West Texas, was founded in
1-13     Graham on February 15, 1877; today the city enjoys a robust economy
1-14     that revolves around agribusiness, oil and gas extraction,
1-15     manufacturing, and tourism; and
1-16           WHEREAS, Named a Texas Main Street City in 1994, Graham has
1-17     undertaken a coordinated restoration and revitalization program for
1-18     its downtown area, which features one of the largest town squares
1-19     in the country; among the many attractions in the business district
1-20     is a preserved historic movie theater; for those seeking a
1-21     different kind of viewing experience, Graham boasts one of the few
1-22     remaining operational drive-in movie theaters in the Lone Star
1-23     State; and
1-24           WHEREAS, Graham is the scene of numerous special events
 2-1     throughout the year, including the Daffodil Days Festival in March
 2-2     and the Young County Fair in September; traces of the area's past
 2-3     can be found in Shawnee Springs Park, a former campground for
 2-4     Shawnee Indians and later for pioneers, in the restored buildings
 2-5     of nearby Fort Belknap, and in the ruined headquarters of the
 2-6     Brazos Indian Reservation; and
 2-7           WHEREAS, Close to several lakes, Graham is a prime spot for
 2-8     many outdoor and water-related activities, such as camping,
 2-9     hunting, fishing, water skiing, and scuba diving; the city is also
2-10     home to several well-known golf courses; and
2-11           WHEREAS, Residents and visitors can keep up with all the news
2-12     and events through the Graham Leader, a weekly newspaper whose
2-13     first issue appeared on August 16, 1876, giving it the distinction
2-14     of being one of the oldest publications in North Central Texas; and
2-15           WHEREAS, While embracing the myriad challenges and
2-16     opportunities of the 21st century, Graham has retained its rich
2-17     heritage and culture; with its innate charm, unspoiled beauty, and
2-18     colorful history, the city recalls an era of simpler times and
2-19     wholesome values; and
2-20           WHEREAS, Today, Graham has a population of approximately
2-21     9,000 residents and is one of our state's great assets; the
2-22     community is truly a wonderful place in which to live, work, and
2-23     raise a family, and it is most appropriate to pay tribute to such
2-24     an outstanding town at this time; now, therefore, be it
2-25           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-26     Legislature hereby recognize February 21, 2001, as Graham Day at
2-27     the State Capitol and extend to the delegation here today and to
 3-1     all the residents of this fine city sincere best wishes for
 3-2     continued success and happiness; and, be it further
 3-3           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
 3-4     prepared for the Graham delegation as an expression of high regard
 3-5     by the Texas House of Representatives.