By Brown of Kaufman                                    H.R. No. 373
         77R7940 MMS-D                           
                                 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.