SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 175

	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to 
join the residents of Van Zandt County, the Van Zandt County 
Choir, and the Van Zandt County officials and business leaders in 
declaring Wednesday, March 19, 2003, as Van Zandt County Day; and
	WHEREAS, Van Zandt County was created by an enactment of 
the Texas Legislature on March 20, 1848; the county was named in 
honor of Isaac Van Zandt, an early pioneer who was a candidate for 
governor of Texas and who died in 1847; and
	WHEREAS, Canton is the county seat; it was mapped out in 
1850, incorporated in 1919, and has been named a Main Street City; 
it is home to the Van Zandt County Fair and the world-famous First 
Monday Trade Days; the city's Library of Genealogy and Local History
is a collection of information about Van Zandt County and its 
citizens; and
	WHEREAS, Edgewood, established in 1878, is known for its 
Edgewood Heritage Park, which is dedicated to the preservation 
of rural cultural and architectural history; and 
	WHEREAS, Edom, one of the oldest towns in the county, was 
established in 1856 and has within its surroundings 10 official 
state historical markers, many of which were researched by 
members of the Edom Historical Society; the town is making 
cultural history with its active Edom Civic Theater; and 
	WHEREAS, Fruitvale, established in 1903, is noted for its 
wooded areas and sandy land; the town has been the home of the 
Randall General Store since 1910; and
	WHEREAS, Grand Saline, originally known as Jordan's Saline, 
was the first county seat of Van Zandt County; it was established 
in 1845 and incorporated in 1895; it was the birthplace of pioneer 
aviator Wiley H. Post and is home to the Morton Salt Mine, The Salt 
Palace, and the Veterans Memorial Wall and Park; and
	WHEREAS, Van was established in 1891 and is noted for its 
oil fields and the Van Art Museum of Oil and Natural History, 
which recalls the boom times of the 1930s; and
	WHEREAS, Wills Point was mapped out in 1873 as Iola 
and was later named Wills Point after William Wills; the town's 
Depot Museum houses a unique collection of railroad memorabilia 
and agricultural artifacts; Wills Point is the Bluebird Capital 
of Texas and hosts the annual Bluebird Festival in April each 
year; and
	WHEREAS, The community of Ben Wheeler, surrounded by natural 
springs and rich farmland, was named in 1876 for Van Zandt County's 
first mail carrier, Benjamin R. Wheeler; and
	WHEREAS, Martins Mills derived its name from Dan R. 
Martin's gristmill and was established in 1880; the community 
survived destruction by tornadoes and fires and today boasts a 
successful school district; and 
	WHEREAS, Van Zandt County has a population of over 48,000 
and an economy that is based on oil, tourism, and agribusiness; 
much of the county's annual income is from cattle, hogs, and 
dairy products; it is a major hay, blueberry, sweet potato, and 
nursery plant producer; the county has the Sabine and Neches 


rivers in its boundaries and is the gateway to Purtis Creek State 
Park and Lake Tawakoni State Park; and
	WHEREAS, Van Zandt County unites its people and 
communities through the Council of Van Zandt County Communities; 
the council promotes various countywide activities, including 
the Van Zandt Relay for Life and the legislative visit to the 
State Capitol; Van Zandt County Day focuses on legislation 
affecting citizens of Van Zandt County; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 
78th Legislature, hereby welcome the citizens of Van Zandt County,
including its appointed and elected officials, the members of 
Vision 2003, and the Council of Van Zandt County Communities, 
and declare Wednesday, March 19, 2003, as Van Zandt County Day 
in Austin; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared 
for the Van Zandt County delegation and all the citizens of the 
county as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
                                                                          Deuell




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on March 19, 2003.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate