R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to join
 1-2     the fine citizens of Collin County in celebration of Collin County
 1-3     Day at the State Capitol on February 21, 2001; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Both Collin County and the county seat, McKinney,
 1-5     were named in honor of the pioneer settler Collin McKinney, one of
 1-6     the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence; this North
 1-7     Texas county was created from Fannin County in 1846 and is situated
 1-8     in the heart of the Blackland Prairie; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, Blessed with fertile soil and a long growing season,
1-10     the region is a hub of agriculture, producing wheat, grain, corn,
1-11     and cotton, as well as cattle, sheep, and horses; and
1-12           WHEREAS, Throughout the state, farmers and ranchers have
1-13     benefited from the work of the Texas Research Foundation, which
1-14     operated in the southwestern corner of Collin County from the 1940s
1-15     to the early 1970s; the laboratories and test fields of this
1-16     nonprofit agency identified new ways of increasing productivity
1-17     while replenishing depleted soils; and
1-18           WHEREAS, The county seat, settled in 1845, offers a number of
1-19     attractions, including the Collin County Youth and Farm Museum, the
1-20     Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary, the Old Post
1-21     Office Museum, the Victorian and Greek Revival homes of Chestnut
1-22     Square, and Finch Park, site of the restored home of Collin
1-23     McKinney; and
1-24           WHEREAS, Collin County Community College, established in
 2-1     McKinney in 1985, draws more than 11,000 students during the long
 2-2     term and fills an important role in providing higher education for
 2-3     area residents; and
 2-4           WHEREAS, The city of Plano has earned recognition as the
 2-5     "Balloon Capital of Texas" due to the hot air balloon races held
 2-6     there every fall; one of the state's fastest growing cities, Plano
 2-7     is also the site of the famed Southfork Ranch, which was featured
 2-8     on the internationally known television series "Dallas"; and
 2-9           WHEREAS, Collin County is also rich in outdoor recreational
2-10     opportunities;  from specialized motorcycle trails to lush parks
2-11     and the 21,000-acre Lake Lavon, the area abounds with possibilities
2-12     for adventure; and
2-13           WHEREAS, The people of Collin County can take tremendous
2-14     pride in their community's heritage and look forward to the future
2-15     with great anticipation; this unique county and its citizens have
2-16     played a significant role in Texas' development, and their many
2-17     contributions to the Lone Star State are indeed deserving of
2-18     special legislative recognition; now, therefore, be it
2-19           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-20     Legislature hereby recognize February 21, 2001, as Collin County
2-21     Day at the State Capitol and extend sincere best wishes to all
2-22     Collin County residents on this noteworthy occasion.
                                                                      McCall
                                                                      Madden
                                                                       Denny
                                             _______________________________
                                                   Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.R. No. 288 was adopted by the House on
         February 21, 2001, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House