By McCall H.R. No. 288 77R7135 JKB-D 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.