H.R. No. 700



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is pleased to 
join the citizens of Fannin County on April 9, 2003, in a 
celebration of Fannin County Day at the State Capitol; and
	WHEREAS, Located in Northeast Texas along the Red River 
Valley, Fannin County was the first original county created in 1837 
by the Congress of the Republic of Texas from Red River County; and
	WHEREAS, The county once consisted of land including all or 
parts of 26 present-day counties, spanning more than 350 miles; 
Fannin County was reduced in size in 1846 when its western boundary 
was fixed; and
	WHEREAS, Named for Colonel James Walker Fannin, the Texas 
hero killed in the massacre at Goliad in 1836, the area attracted 
its first permanent settlement that same year when several families 
arrived to build their homes on the rolling prairie and were soon 
followed by others who settled along the Red River; and
	WHEREAS, The county seat is the city of Bonham, founded in 
1836 by Judge Bailey Inglish, who originally named the settlement 
Bois d'Arc after the native trees predominant in the area; the name 
of the town was changed to Bonham in 1844 in honor of James B. 
Bonham, famous messenger in the Battle of the Alamo; and
	WHEREAS, Bonham is known for its favorite son, Sam Rayburn, 
who began his political career in the Texas House of 
Representatives, where he served one year as speaker; the 
distinguished Texan later went to Washington, D.C., where he was a 
congressman for 48 years and speaker of the U.S. House of 
Representatives for 17 years, longer than any other individual in 
history; and
	WHEREAS, The Bonham Area Chamber of Commerce was established 
in 1886 as the Board of Trade; renamed the chamber of commerce in 
1926, it has been instrumental in bringing jobs and new residents to 
Bonham and Fannin County, and it is an important force for economic 
development and prosperity throughout the area; and
	WHEREAS, Residents of Fannin County have made and are making 
important contributions to the State of Texas, and it is 
appropriate to take this opportunity to honor them; now, therefore, 
be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby recognize April 9, 2003, as Fannin County Day at 
the State Capitol and extend to the visitors from Fannin County best 
wishes for a memorable and enjoyable day in Austin.

                                                                        Phillips

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 700 was adopted by the House on April 
9, 2003, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House