79R1469 JTR-D


By:  Miller                                                     H.C.R. No. 30 



HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, Though separated by thousands of miles, Texas and 
Ireland are bound by strong ties of culture, history, and 
sensibility, and nowhere is this fact more apparent than in the fine 
community of Dublin, Texas, in Erath County; and
	WHEREAS, The town's deep affinity with Ireland is hardly 
limited to its sharing the name of that country's capital, for a 
notable Irish influence has left its imprint on the history of this 
attractive Texas community; and
	WHEREAS, Just as Ireland is renowned as a center for equine 
attractions, drawing visitors from far and wide to its races, 
shows, and fairs, so Dublin has for many years been closely 
associated with the distinctively American display of riding skill 
known as the rodeo; serving as the home of the World Championship 
Rodeo from 1940 to 1959, the community remains a significant site on 
the rodeo map, with several championship title holders and trainers 
living in the vicinity; and
	WHEREAS, Much of Dublin's early prominence in the area was 
due to several families of Irish Jews who settled there after 
encountering discrimination in New England; these pioneers played 
an instrumental role in the town's development as a regional trade 
center; and
	WHEREAS, Reminders of the community's namesake may be found 
everywhere in Dublin: in street names such as Shamrock, Shannon, 
and Belfast, in the Dublin High School colors of gold and Kelly 
green, and in the city's flag, a white shamrock set against a 
brilliant green background; and
	WHEREAS, Dublin maintains cordial relations with the Irish 
capital, for the two towns have been pleased to recognize one 
another as sister cities and now exchange communications several 
times a year; and
	WHEREAS, For obvious reasons, St. Patrick's Day is a high 
point of the Dublin, Texas, calendar, and visitors who happen 
across the town's March festivities may be forgiven for thinking 
that they had somehow been transported back to the Auld Sod, so 
joyful and exuberant is the community's celebration; and
	WHEREAS, Of all the features that unite this forward-looking 
Texas city with that fabled land to the East, none is more readily 
apparent than the great good cheer and infectious friendliness of 
these outgoing Texans, who welcome friend and stranger alike with 
hospitality as warm and sincere as any to be found on the Emerald 
Isle; and
	WHEREAS, The people of Dublin are rightly proud of their many 
connections to their cousins across the Atlantic, and it is only 
fitting that the clear stamp of Erin on their community be formally 
recognized; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the 79th Legislature of the State of Texas 
hereby designate Dublin as the official Irish Capital of Texas.