1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 357 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pleasure in 1-4 joining the residents of Van Zandt County, the Van Zandt County 1-5 Choir, Vision 2002 members, and Van Zandt County elected officials 1-6 in declaring Tuesday, March 13, 2001, as Van Zandt County Day; and 1-7 WHEREAS, Van Zandt County was created by an enactment of 1-8 the Texas Legislature on March 20, 1848; the county was named in 1-9 honor of Isaac Van Zandt, an early pioneer who was a candidate for 1-10 governor of Texas and who died in 1847; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Canton is the county seat that was mapped out in 1-12 1850, incorporated in 1919, and was recently named a Main Street 1-13 City; Canton is the home of the world famous First Monday Trades 1-14 Day, one of the largest outdoor flea markets in the world; and 1-15 WHEREAS, The library of genealogy and local history located 1-16 in Canton is a treasure trove of information about Van Zandt County 1-17 and its citizens; and 1-18 WHEREAS, Edgewood, settled in the 1840s, is recognized for 1-19 its circa 1900 Edgewood Heritage Park, which is dedicated to the 1-20 preservation of rural culture and architectural history; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Edom, one of the oldest towns in the county, 2-1 was established in 1856 and has located within its boundaries 2-2 10 official state historical markers, many of which were 2-3 researched by members of the Edom Historical Society; the town is 2-4 making cultural history with its active Edom Civic Theatre; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Fruitvale, founded in 1903, is noted for wooded 2-6 areas and sandy land; and 2-7 WHEREAS, Grand Saline, the first county seat of the county, 2-8 was established in 1873, and is known as the home of native son 2-9 Wiley Post, the Morton salt plant, the salt palace, and the new 2-10 Veterans' Memorial Wall; and 2-11 WHEREAS, Van was established in 1891 and is noted for its 2-12 oil fields and for the Van Area Museum of Oil and Natural History, 2-13 which recalls the boom times of the 1930s; and 2-14 WHEREAS, Wills Point was mapped out in 1873 as Iola and 2-15 later named Wills Point after William Wills; the Depot Museum 2-16 there houses a unique collection of railroad memorabilia and 2-17 agricultural artifacts; the town is the bluebird capital of Texas 2-18 and hosts the annual Bluebird Festival in April each year; and 2-19 WHEREAS, Van Zandt County has a population of over 40,000, 2-20 and its economy is based on oil, tourism, and agribusiness; much of 2-21 the county's annual income is from cattle, hogs, and dairy products; 2-22 it is also a major hay, sweet potato, blueberry, and nursery plant 2-23 producer; the county is fortunate to have the Sabine and Neches 3-1 rivers, and it is home to Purtis Creek State Park; and 3-2 WHEREAS, The Council of Van Zandt County Communities seeks 3-3 to unite the people and towns in the county; and 3-4 WHEREAS, The council helps in sharing calendars of events, 3-5 supporting countywide activities, including the East Texas State 3-6 Fair, the Van Zandt County Fair, and the Van Zandt County Relay for 3-7 Life, and sponsoring the visit to Austin to focus on legislation 3-8 affecting the county; now, therefore, be it 3-9 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 3-10 77th Legislature, hereby express appreciation to the people 3-11 of Van Zandt County for the county's many amenities and its 3-12 contributions to our state and extend best wishes for a joyous 3-13 Van Zandt County Day on March 13, 2001; and, be it further 3-14 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 3-15 the Van Zandt County delegation as an expression of high regard 3-16 from the Texas Senate. 3-17 Cain 3-18 ______________________________________ 3-19 President of the Senate 3-20 I hereby certify that the above 3-21 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-22 on March 13, 2001. 3-23 ______________________________________ 3-24 Secretary of the Senate 3-25 ______________________________________ 3-26 Member, Texas Senate