By Brown of Kaufman H.R. No. 374
77R8086 MMS-D
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 Lion's
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.