H.R. No. 215



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The City of Arlington truly merits special 
recognition for its important role in the story of Texas; and
	WHEREAS, Located halfway between Dallas and Fort Worth in 
east Tarrant County, Arlington is a desirable place to live and 
work, with its numerous economic and educational resources, as well 
as its diverse entertainment venues; and
	WHEREAS, From the 1840s, the area attracted farmers because 
of its fertile blackland and sandy loam, conducive to growing 
fruits and vegetables; the city was officially founded in 1876 as a 
market town on the Texas and Pacific Railway, and named after the 
Virginia hometown of Robert E. Lee; in the 1950s and 1960s, under 
the leadership of Tom Vandergriff, who served as mayor for 26 years, 
the city experienced significant growth when the population rose 
from 8,000 to 45,000 residents; and
	WHEREAS, Today, its citizenry exceeds 300,000, and many 
technical and manufacturing companies also call Arlington home; the 
city also boasts superior research and teaching facilities at The 
University of Texas at Arlington; a popular destination for 
shopping, golfing, fine dining, and entertainment at such renowned 
attractions as Six Flags Over Texas and Ameriquest Field, home of 
the Texas Rangers, Arlington hosts more than six million visitors 
each year; and
	WHEREAS, This vibrant city continues to be one of the Lone 
Star State's great assets, and it is indeed appropriate that the 
citizens of Arlington be paid special tribute at this time; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby honor the residents of the City of Arlington for 
their myriad economic, educational, and cultural contributions to 
the Lone Star State and extend to them sincere best wishes for the 
future.

                                                                         Goodman
                                                                          Zedler
                                                                      Grusendorf

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 215 was adopted by the House on 
February 24, 2005, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House