R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, On February 21, 2001, many proud residents of Grand 1-2 Prairie will be in Austin to celebrate Grand Prairie Day at the 1-3 State Capitol, and this occasion is an opportune time to pay 1-4 tribute to the city's many noteworthy attributes; and 1-5 WHEREAS, This outstanding North Texas community was founded 1-6 at the end of the Civil War under the name Deckman; renamed Grand 1-7 Prairie in 1877, the city grew steadily in the ensuing years with 1-8 the arrival of railroads and the subsequent opening of Hensley 1-9 Field by the United States military in 1928; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Grand Prairie experienced a substantial boom during 1-11 World War II, as the region was home to the military field and 1-12 several large defense plants, and between 1940 and the war's end 1-13 the city's population ballooned from approximately 1,600 to more 1-14 than 18,000 residents; and 1-15 WHEREAS, With a population of nearly 120,000 people today, 1-16 Grand Prairie features a wide range of industry and commerce, and 1-17 its central location amid the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex has 1-18 enabled it to become an established distribution center; furniture, 1-19 aircraft, boats, plastics, chemicals, and machine parts are among 1-20 the many items manufactured within the city; and 1-21 WHEREAS, In addition to a burgeoning economy, the city is 1-22 home to a number of entertaining tourist attractions, such as Lone 1-23 Star Park, the Traders Village market, the Palace of Wax, and 1-24 Ripley's Believe It or Not; popular local events include the 2-1 Prairie Dog Chili Cookoff, Oktoberfest, the Western Days Rodeo, the 2-2 Prairie Lights annual Christmas lights display, and the National 2-3 Championship Indian Pow-wow; moreover, Grand Prairie offers ample 2-4 opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy themselves at scenic 2-5 Joe Pool Lake and at its numerous parks; and 2-6 WHEREAS, Truly a community in which its citizens can take 2-7 great pride, Grand Prairie is indeed deserving of special 2-8 legislative recognition for its significant contributions to the 2-9 Lone State State; now, therefore, be it 2-10 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-11 Legislature hereby recognize February 21, 2001, as Grand Prairie 2-12 Day at the State Capitol and extend a warm welcome to the city's 2-13 visiting delegation. Allen Goodman _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 327 was adopted by the House on February 21, 2001, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House