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78R9393 MMS-D

By:  Alonzo                                                       H.R. No. 592



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Oak Cliff, the venerable community on the south bank 
of the Trinity River, marked the centennial of its annexation to 
Dallas on March 17, 2003; and
	WHEREAS, Originally known as Hord's Ridge, Oak Cliff traces 
its roots to the 1845 arrival of the William H. Hord family and to 
the farming community that subsequently grew in the vicinity; in 
the 1880s the area of Hord's Ridge was bought by Thomas Marsalis and 
John Armstrong, who dreamed of creating an exclusive residential 
development there and who gave the site its present name; and
	WHEREAS, After the pair successfully launched the sale of 
lots, Thomas Marsalis gained control of the project and undertook 
several ventures to add to the new town's attractiveness; these 
included the introduction of a steam-powered railway to connect the 
development with downtown Dallas, the establishment of a 150-acre 
park, now known as Marsalis Park and Zoo, and the erection of a fine 
hotel featuring several mineral baths; and
	WHEREAS, Oak Cliff enjoyed a period of favor as an upscale 
residential and resort community before the depression of 1893 
drove Mr. Marsalis into bankruptcy; a number of lots once owned by 
his company were then subdivided and sold; and
	WHEREAS, In 1903, after rejecting several overtures from 
Dallas and still struggling with a sluggish economy, Oak Cliff 
voters finally agreed to annexation to their larger neighbor; 
development over the next several decades included hundreds of 
modest homes as well as the grand residences of Kessler Park; and
	WHEREAS, Set on rolling hills a few miles from downtown 
Dallas, Oak Cliff today is home to a broadly inclusive population, 
with residents representing a variety of ethnic and cultural groups 
and economic backgrounds; and
	WHEREAS, These citizens are acting through a number of 
organizations, such as the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce, Old Oak 
Cliff Conservation League, Oak Cliff Foundation, and various 
neighborhood groups, to promote the preservation and 
revitalization of their community; their efforts are coming to 
fruition in the rebirth of Jefferson Boulevard, West Davis Street, 
and Fort Worth Avenue, in the renovation of the historic Texas 
Theater, and in the flowering of the Bishop Arts District; and
	WHEREAS, Members of close-knit communities within the larger 
embrace of Oak Cliff, the residents of this unique section of Dallas 
are holding fast to their rich history while forging an ever 
brighter and more promising future; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby congratulate the citizens of Oak Cliff on the 
100th anniversary of their community's annexation to Dallas and 
extend to them sincere best wishes as they build on their notable 
heritage.