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.