By Ramsay H.R. No. 479 77R8449 MMS-D 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.