By Counts H.R. No. 692 77R11407 MMS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Citizens of Big Spring are visiting the State 1-2 Capitol on April 10, 2001, to celebrate the history and many fine 1-3 attributes of this West Texas city; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Named for a spring in Sulphur Draw, the town had its 1-5 origins in a settlement that served buffalo hunters in the 1870s; 1-6 when the Texas and Pacific Railway built through the county in the 1-7 early 1880s, the community moved a short distance to be on the line 1-8 and quickly became the shipping point for a wide area; in 1882, Big 1-9 Spring was chosen as county seat for the newly organized Howard 1-10 County; and 1-11 WHEREAS, C. C. Slaughter and other ranchers began moving into 1-12 the area in the late 1870s, and scenes of their world were captured 1-13 by the western artist Harvey Wallace Caylor, a Big Spring resident; 1-14 with approximately half of the county classified as prime farmland, 1-15 farmers soon began moving in as well; oil, discovered in the 1920s, 1-16 and manufacturing have helped to diversify the economy, and the 1-17 recent construction at Big Spring of the country's largest wind 1-18 turbines has put the city in the vanguard of another pioneering 1-19 movement; and 1-20 WHEREAS, Spectacular views of Big Spring and its environs can 1-21 be had from Big Spring State Park and a tall bluff there known as 1-22 Scenic Mountain; a prairie dog town and a variety of other animal 1-23 and plant life flourish in the park, the result of Big Spring's 1-24 location at the junction of three different ecosystems; the city's 2-1 Comanche Trail Park encompasses the site of the original spring and 2-2 features a lake, a golf course, and many other facilities; and 2-3 WHEREAS, Throughout the year, the Big Spring Theater Group, 2-4 art association, and symphony orchestra ensure a continuing 2-5 schedule of events, complemented by the county fair, rodeos, and 2-6 Old Settlers Reunion; windows into the past include the Heritage 2-7 Museum, Hangar 25 Museum, Victorian-era Potton House, and Vietnam 2-8 Memorial, while preparation for the future is under way at Howard 2-9 College and the Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf; and 2-10 WHEREAS, Big Spring's productive and forward-looking citizens 2-11 are building on a sturdy foundation of progressive development, and 2-12 it is a pleasure to recognize their industry, their achievements, 2-13 and their public spirit; now, therefore, be it 2-14 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-15 Legislature hereby recognize April 10, 2001, as Big Spring Day at 2-16 the State Capitol and extend to the delegation here today sincere 2-17 best wishes for an enjoyable and memorable visit.