R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, Many proud residents of Kaufman County are gathering
 1-2     in Austin on March 19, 2001, to celebrate Kaufman County Day at the
 1-3     State Capitol, and this event offers an ideal opportunity to
 1-4     recognize the county's many fine attributes; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, Situated in the fertile Blackland Prairie of
 1-6     Northeast Texas, Kaufman County was home to Cherokee and Caddo
 1-7     Indians before the arrival of Anglo settlers in 1840; led by
 1-8     William P. King, this group of 40 pioneers from Mississippi
 1-9     established a stockade, King's Fort, and a community that became
1-10     known as Kingsboro; and
1-11           WHEREAS, In 1848, Kaufman County was carved out of Henderson
1-12     County and named in honor of David Spangler Kaufman, a member of
1-13     the Texas Legislature and the United States Congress; the
1-14     settlement of Kingsboro became the county seat in 1851 and took the
1-15     new name of Kaufman; and
1-16           WHEREAS, For many years the steadily rising population of
1-17     this rural county enjoyed a strong economy based predominately on
1-18     its cotton crop; by 1960 the county had taken on a more urban
1-19     character, with over half of its population residing in towns;
1-20     while still a hub for agricultural exports, Kaufman County today is
1-21     home to an array of manufacturing enterprises and to a significant
1-22     government sector; and
1-23           WHEREAS, Known as the "Red Tail Hawk Capital of Texas," the
1-24     town of Kaufman is the oldest continuously inhabited community in
 2-1     the Three Forks area of the Trinity River; the Kaufman County
 2-2     Historical Commission is planning to create a new museum outside of
 2-3     Kaufman that will preserve and interpret a formerly common aspect
 2-4     of the American countryside, the county-supported farm that
 2-5     sheltered those unable to work and who lacked other means of
 2-6     support; and
 2-7           WHEREAS, Another significant site, the Porter Farm, is
 2-8     located outside of Terrell; chosen by a federal agent in 1903 to
 2-9     demonstrate ways of combating the boll weevil, this farm became the
2-10     genesis of the U.S. Agricultural Extension Service; and
2-11           WHEREAS, Still a center of instruction, Terrell now boasts
2-12     two colleges, Southwestern Christian College and a branch of
2-13     Trinity Valley Junior College; the town also features the Terrell
2-14     Heritage Museum and the Silent Wings Museum, the latter
2-15     highlighting the role of airborne personnel, and especially glider
2-16     pilots, in World War II; and
2-17           WHEREAS, In 1873, the first railroad to build in Kaufman
2-18     County laid tracks through Forney, giving the town an important
2-19     boost; this year the town's newspaper, the Forney Messenger,
2-20     celebrates its 120th birthday; an agricultural and small
2-21     manufacturing center, Forney was recognized in 1987 by the Texas
2-22     Legislature for its numerous antique establishments; and
2-23           WHEREAS, Annual celebrations in Kaufman County include
2-24     Summerfest in Kaufman, the Terrell Heritage Jubilee, and the Lions
2-25     Club Jackrabbit Stampede, a bicycle ride through the countryside
2-26     around Forney; year-round, Lake Ray Hubbard and the Cedar Creek
2-27     Reservoir are popular destinations for outdoors enthusiasts; and
 3-1           WHEREAS, The residents of Kaufman County enjoy the best of
 3-2     both worlds, the neighborly communities that are such wonderful
 3-3     places to live and raise a family, and easy access to nearby
 3-4     Dallas, one of the nation's major cities; and
 3-5           WHEREAS, Kaufman County citizens possess a notable heritage
 3-6     and look forward to a bright and promising future, and they are
 3-7     indeed deserving of special tribute for the outstanding
 3-8     contributions they and their forebears have made to the Lone Star
 3-9     State; now, therefore, be it
3-10           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
3-11     Legislature hereby recognize March 19, 2001, as Kaufman County Day
3-12     at the State Capitol and extend to this delegation sincere best
3-13     wishes for an enjoyable and memorable visit.
                                                            Brown of Kaufman
                                             _______________________________
                                                   Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.R. No. 374 was adopted by the House on March
         19, 2001, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House