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