By Ritter H.R. No. 376 77R7941 MJS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, On February 27, 2001, many notable residents of 1-2 Beaumont are gathering in Austin to celebrate Beaumont Day at the 1-3 State Capitol; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Founded in the mid 1820s, this unique city serves as 1-5 the county seat of Jefferson County and is situated on the west 1-6 bank of the Neches River; in its early years, Beaumont was an 1-7 agricultural center for cattle raisers and farmers; and 1-8 WHEREAS, The city underwent a dramatic transformation in 1901 1-9 when the Anthony F. Lucas Gusher blew in at Spindletop, sparking 1-10 the development of a new facet of the nation's energy industry and 1-11 the creation of more than 600 oil companies, including such 1-12 renowned industry giants as Texaco, Gulf, and Humble; the citizens 1-13 of Beaumont celebrated Spindletop's centennial anniversary on 1-14 January 10, 2001; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Beaumont now features a multifaceted economy that 1-16 includes the petroleum industry, government and services, 1-17 manufacturing, tourism, and port activities; and 1-18 WHEREAS, This outstanding city has many attractions, such as 1-19 the Babe Didrikson Zaharias Museum & Visitors Center, Clifton 1-20 Steamboat Museum, Dishman Art Gallery, French Historic House & 1-21 Museum, McFaddin-Ward House, Port of Beaumont, Spindletop/Gladys 1-22 City Boomtown, and the Texas Energy Museum; in addition, Beaumont 1-23 is home to the Cattail Marsh as well as the South Texas State Fair, 1-24 an enormously popular event held annually in October that routinely 2-1 draws more than 600,000 people; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Lamar University's main campus is in Beaumont; 2-3 established in 1923, it offers a wealth of diverse educational 2-4 opportunities to its more than 7,000 students; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Beaumont is a bustling community that is embracing 2-6 the myriad challenges and opportunities of the future; it is a 2-7 great asset of the Lone Star State and is most deserving of special 2-8 tribute at this time; now, therefore, be it 2-9 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-10 Legislature hereby recognize February 27, 2001, as Beaumont Day at 2-11 the State Capitol and extend to its citizens sincere best wishes 2-12 for the future.