1-1                                     1                                  
 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 154
 1-3           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is proud to
 1-4     welcome the residents of Rockwall County to the State Capitol
 1-5     on February 21, 2001, to celebrate Rockwall County Day; and
 1-6           WHEREAS, Located north of Kaufman County in north central
 1-7     Texas, Rockwall County is situated mostly in the blackland
 1-8     prairie, and cedar, oak, pecan, and bois d'arc grow in the river
 1-9     bottom; the county has the highest proportion of arable land of
1-10     any county in the state, with 39 inches of annual rainfall; and
1-11           WHEREAS, Named for the extensive system of subterranean walls
1-12     that protrude above ground in outcroppings unique to the area, the
1-13     rock walls were discovered by settlers drilling for water; and
1-14           WHEREAS, Settlement in the area began in 1846, while the area
1-15     was still part of Kaufman County, and Rockwall County was formed
1-16     in 1873; it is the smallest county in Texas; and
1-17           WHEREAS, The county was originally an agricultural and
1-18     ranching center; today the county enjoys a healthy and diverse
1-19     economy with close proximity to the Dallas metroplex area and
1-20     a well-educated and industrious citizenry; and
1-21           WHEREAS, In their award-winning schools, students of the
 2-1     area consistently perform better than their peers in state
 2-2     and national standardized tests, win top honors in academic
 2-3     competitions, and go on to college in large numbers; and
 2-4           WHEREAS, Having experienced phenomenal growth in recent
 2-5     years, the population has nearly doubled since 1980; currently
 2-6     41,000 people live in this lovely county; and
 2-7           WHEREAS, Business opportunities abound with the
 2-8     Rockwall Area Chamber of Commerce, the Rockwall Economic
 2-9     Development Corporation, and the dedicated staff of these two
2-10     fine organizations working in concert with the county and city
2-11     governments and various service businesses; and
2-12           WHEREAS, With many recreational options close at hand, the
2-13     county boasts excellent golfing at superb area courses, superior
2-14     sailing at Lake Ray Hubbard, and exceptional fishing; and
2-15           WHEREAS, Rockwall County has played a vital role in the
2-16     development of the Lone Star State, and it is a pleasure to
2-17     pay tribute to it; now, therefore, be it
2-18           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
2-19     77th Legislature, hereby declare Wednesday, February 21, 2001,
2-20     Rockwall County Day at the State Capitol and extend best
2-21     wishes to all its residents on this special occasion; and, be
2-22     it further
2-23           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
 3-1     the county as a memento of this special day.
 3-2                                                    Cain  
 3-3                                                    Carona
 3-4           Armbrister           Harris              Shapleigh
 3-5           Barrientos           Haywood             Sibley
 3-6           Bernsen              Jackson             Staples
 3-7           Bivins               Lindsay             Truan
 3-8           Brown                Lucio               Van de Putte
 3-9           Duncan               Madla               Wentworth
3-10           Ellis                Moncrief            West
3-11           Fraser               Nelson              Whitmire
3-12           Gallegos             Ogden               Zaffirini
3-13                                Shapiro
3-14                      Ratliff, President of the Senate
3-15                                  ______________________________________
3-16                                          President of the Senate
3-17                                       I hereby certify that the above
3-18                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
3-19                                  on February 21, 2001.
3-20                                  ______________________________________
3-21                                          Secretary of the Senate
3-22                                  ______________________________________
3-23                                           Member, Texas Senate
3-24                                  ______________________________________
3-25                                           Member, Texas Senate