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 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