R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Kaufman County Historical Commission is 1-2 rendering exceptional public service through its programs to 1-3 preserve historical artifacts and to foster a greater understanding 1-4 and appreciation of Kaufman County history; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Historical preservation heightens our sense of place 1-6 and enriches our environment; in addition, heritage tourism can 1-7 play a significant role in local economies; and 1-8 WHEREAS, Members of the Kaufman County Historical Commission 1-9 conduct guided historical tours, assist with obtaining state 1-10 historical markers, and advocate for heritage tourism through 1-11 service on a local tourism board; recently they have also sponsored 1-12 the re-creation of a local historical event and the preparation and 1-13 publication of a guide to genealogical resources within the county; 1-14 and 1-15 WHEREAS, Among their current projects are the locating, 1-16 documenting, and protecting of historic county cemeteries, many of 1-17 them small family cemeteries that have been threatened by neglect, 1-18 vandalism, and development; the commission is also paying for the 1-19 restoration of an 1887 Kaufman County map housed in the General 1-20 Land Office in Austin; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Commission members frequently give presentations on 1-22 county history, a service requested by a variety of groups and 1-23 especially by teachers; to illustrate and enliven these talks, 1-24 which cover such topics as Kaufman County Indians, early schools, 2-1 and life in the county during the Civil War, a "traveling trunk" 2-2 has been organized, with an assortment of historical objects that 2-3 can help bring the subject to life; and 2-4 WHEREAS, At the present time the commission is undertaking a 2-5 long-term project to transform the county poor farm into a museum; 2-6 the new facility will preserve historic buildings and farm 2-7 equipment still on the site, explain the function of poor farms in 2-8 rural America, and interpret the agricultural history of Kaufman 2-9 County; and 2-10 WHEREAS, Friends of the Kaufman County Historical Commission, 2-11 a nonprofit organization, has sponsored publication of a county 2-12 history and a heritage calendar in order to help raise money for 2-13 commission projects; and 2-14 WHEREAS, For the past five years the commission has received 2-15 a Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Historical Commission, 2-16 an honor for which only about 25 of the state's 254 counties 2-17 qualify; and 2-18 WHEREAS, This farsighted and energetic group of citizens is 2-19 doing invaluable work in saving and promoting the history of 2-20 Kaufman County, and it is a pleasure to recognize their exemplary 2-21 commitment and achievements; now, therefore, be it 2-22 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-23 Legislature hereby commend the Kaufman County Historical Commission 2-24 for its outstanding contributions to historical preservation and 2-25 extend to its members sincere best wishes for continued success 2-26 with their worthy endeavors; and, be it further 2-27 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-1 prepared for the Kaufman County Historical Commission as an 3-2 expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Brown of Kaufman _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 373 was adopted by the House on March 19, 2001, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House