R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, Many proud citizens of Mount Vernon and Franklin
 1-2     County are visiting the State Capitol today to celebrate the role
 1-3     this historic area has played in the annals of the Lone Star State;
 1-4     and
 1-5           WHEREAS, Americans of European descent began settling in this
 1-6     region in the 1830s, and Franklin County was created and organized
 1-7     in 1875, with Mount Vernon as the county seat; and
 1-8           WHEREAS, Over the course of its history, the county has
 1-9     remained essentially rural; for many years local farmers led the
1-10     state in the production of cane syrup, and today Franklin County
1-11     ranks as one of the state's largest suppliers of poultry and dairy
1-12     products; to expand the economic base, the Franklin County
1-13     Industrial Foundation was created in the 1960s, and it continues to
1-14     work to bring industries and jobs to the area; and
1-15           WHEREAS, Mount Vernon, initially settled in the 1840s, has
1-16     been named a Texas Main Street City by the Texas Historical
1-17     Commission; the Franklin County Historical Association operates
1-18     three museums in the town, and the Franklin County Genealogical
1-19     Society oversees a genealogical research center; and
1-20           WHEREAS, Throughout the year, events such as the Good
1-21     Neighbor Picnic and Fiddle Fest and the Labor Day Rodeo bring
1-22     together residents and tourists alike for family fun in a charming,
1-23     small-town setting; many of these programs and activities are
1-24     sponsored by the Franklin County Arts Alliance; and
 2-1           WHEREAS, The birthplace of football star Don Meredith, Mount
 2-2     Vernon is surrounded by abundant opportunities for outdoor
 2-3     recreation; Lake Cypress Springs is especially renowned among
 2-4     fishing enthusiasts for its plentiful bass; and
 2-5           WHEREAS, The citizens of Mount Vernon and Franklin County are
 2-6     building on their notable heritage as they fashion a bright and
 2-7     promising future, and they are indeed deserving of special tribute
 2-8     for their outstanding contributions to the Lone Star State; now,
 2-9     therefore, be it
2-10           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-11     Legislature hereby recognize March 15, 2001, as Mount
2-12     Vernon/Franklin County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the
2-13     delegation here today sincere best wishes for an enjoyable and
2-14     memorable visit.
                                                                      Ramsay
                                             _______________________________
                                                   Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.R. No. 479 was adopted by the House on March
         15, 2001, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House