1-1                                     1                                  
 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 498
 1-3           WHEREAS, On March 20, 2001, many residents from Panola County
 1-4     are gathering in Austin to celebrate Panola County Day at the
 1-5     State Capitol; and
 1-6           WHEREAS, Formed from Harrison and Shelby counties in
 1-7     1846, Panola County is located on the Texas-Louisiana border
 1-8     and comprises more than 801 square miles of rolling terrain;
 1-9     Judge John Allison, a Mississippi farmer, played an integral role
1-10     in the town being named Panola, which is a Native American word
1-11     for cotton; and
1-12           WHEREAS, In its early days, the county depended on its
1-13     fertile soil to help the area prosper; throughout the years, it
1-14     has undergone many changes and now has a multifaceted economy
1-15     that revolves around petroleum, agribusiness, manufacturing,
1-16     and tourism; and
1-17           WHEREAS, Carthage serves as the county seat and has received
1-18     the prestigious distinction of being selected as one of "The 100
1-19     Best Small Towns in America" by writer Norman Crampton; and
1-20           WHEREAS, Carthage's ties to country music run deep, as
1-21     it was the home of legendary performers Tex Ritter and Jim Reeves,
1-22     and in 1997 the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame opened there; in
1-23     addition, talented musicians including Linda Davis and members of
 2-1     the country group, Perfect Stranger, live in Carthage; and
 2-2           WHEREAS, Panola College was founded in Carthage in 1947 and
 2-3     now serves an enrollment of more than 1,500 students; the presses
 2-4     of The Panola Watchman have been rolling since July 2, 1873; and
 2-5           WHEREAS, Other notable towns in Panola County include
 2-6     Beckville, Clayton, DeBerry, Gary, Long Branch, Panola, and
 2-7     Tatum; and
 2-8           WHEREAS, While embracing the myriad challenges and
 2-9     opportunities of the 21st century, Panola County has retained
2-10     its rich heritage and culture, and it is most appropriate to
2-11     pay tribute to its fine citizens at this time; now, therefore,
2-12     be it
2-13           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
2-14     77th Legislature, hereby recognize March 20, 2001, as
2-15     Panola County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the
2-16     visiting delegation and all of the residents of this outstanding
2-17     county sincere best wishes for success and happiness in their
2-18     future endeavors.
2-19                                                                 Staples
2-20                                  ______________________________________
2-21                                          President of the Senate
2-22                                       I hereby certify that the above
2-23                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
2-24                                  on March 20, 2001.
2-25                                  ______________________________________
2-26                                          Secretary of the Senate
2-27                                  ______________________________________
2-28                                           Member, Texas Senate