1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 356 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is proud to 1-4 recognize the loyal residents of Hunt County, who are travelling 1-5 to the State Capitol on Wednesday, March 7, 2001, to honor their 1-6 beloved county; and 1-7 WHEREAS, The first legislature authorized the organization 1-8 of Hunt County in 1846, with five men as town commissioners; and 1-9 WHEREAS, This richly historical county began its tradition 1-10 of excellence during the 1840s when Hunt County began to see rapid 1-11 growth; Greenville became the county seat; Hamilton and Ben Oldham 1-12 began the first store in the community; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Under the direction of Judge O. M. Roberts, the 1-14 first courthouse was established under the old twin oak, and 1-15 justice was administered under a canopy until a more permanent 1-16 structure could be built in 1859; and 1-17 WHEREAS, With the swift growth of the county, its first 1-18 newspaper, The Gladiator was followed by the establishment 1-19 of the Greenville Morning Herald and The Banner; eventually 1-20 these two papers became The Greenville Herald-Banner; and 1-21 WHEREAS, In 1852, the first church, Wesley Methodist Church, 1-22 was founded and was served by circuit riders; the church building 1-23 was used by other denominations and also served as the courthouse, 2-1 town hall, and school; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Many civic and fraternal groups came to the area by 2-3 the late 1800s, including the Knights of Honor, the Odd Fellows, 2-4 the Woodmen of the World, the Knights of Pythias, the Masons, and 2-5 the Good Templar Society; and 2-6 WHEREAS, In 1899, the growth of the region inspired the 2-7 establishment of East Texas Normal College; the school became East 2-8 Texas State University in 1965 and Texas A&M--Commerce in 1996; and 2-9 WHEREAS, The expanding commerce in the region required the 2-10 founding of several commercial banks and lending institutions, and 2-11 in 1910, the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce was organized; and 2-12 WHEREAS, The citizens of Hunt County are to be commended for 2-13 their industriousness and for their gracious hospitality to those 2-14 who visit their lovely county; now, therefore, be it 2-15 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-16 77th Legislature, hereby declare March 7, 2001, Hunt County Day at 2-17 the State Capitol and extend best wishes to its citizens for a most 2-18 memorable and joyous celebration; and, be it further 2-19 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared as a 2-20 memento of this grand day. 2-21 Cain 2-22 ______________________________________ 2-23 President of the Senate 2-24 I hereby certify that the above 2-25 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-26 on March 7, 2001. 2-27 ______________________________________ 2-28 Secretary of the Senate 2-29 ______________________________________ 3-1 Member, Texas Senate