79R8223 JTR-D

By:  Merritt                                                      H.R. No. 558



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, March 1, 2005, is a day of celebration at the State 
Capitol, where residents of Kilgore are gathering to share their 
justifiable pride in their beloved hometown; and
	WHEREAS, Surrounded by the lush green pine forests and clear 
blue lakes of East Texas, Kilgore was founded as a railroad stop in 
the 1870s, and was named for Constantine Buckley "Buck" Kilgore, a 
farmer, sawmill operator, and federal judge; and
	WHEREAS, On October 3, 1930, Columbus "Dad" Joiner struck oil 
on the Daisy Bradford No. 3, thus discovering the East Texas 
oilfield, a Woodbine sand reservoir measuring 42 miles in length 
and averaging 10 miles in width and covering more than 400 square 
miles in five counties; and
	WHEREAS, With the success of the Lou Della Crim in December of 
that same year, Kilgore was established as the center of the East 
Texas oilfield, and the town's population grew more than tenfold 
during that period; and
	WHEREAS, Kilgore's stature as a petroleum producer assumed 
new importance during World War II, as the area's fuel production 
was instrumental in the Allied victory; as a reminder of this 
contribution, the more than 60 oil derricks that dot the town's 
skyline are crowned with stars, prompting Kilgore's official 
designation as the Texas City of Stars; and
	WHEREAS, Through the years, Kilgore has continued to grow in 
both size and stature while retaining the small-town friendliness 
and sense of community for which it is known; and
	WHEREAS, In addition to its importance as a location for 
higher learning, Kilgore College is also home to two of the city's 
most beloved institutions, the world-famous Kilgore Rangerettes 
drill team and the East Texas Oil Museum; and
	WHEREAS, Created through the generosity of the Placid Oil 
Company and the children of the late H. L. Hunt, the museum honors 
Mr. Hunt and his achievements, preserves the history of the East 
Texas oilfield, celebrates the free enterprise system, and pays 
tribute to the independent oilmen who pioneered the discovery and 
development of the oilfield; and
	WHEREAS, The year 2005 is a festive one indeed for Kilgore, as 
it marks both the silver anniversary of the East Texas Oil Museum 
and the diamond anniversary of the discovery of oil in East Texas, 
and both events will be celebrated at numerous events throughout 
the year by members of the Kilgore community; and
	WHEREAS, Among those visiting Austin on this special day are 
Roland and Amy Velvin, Mike and Diana Coston, Perry and Carolyn 
Johnston, Jimmy and Sharon Breedlove, Mike Wilcox, Candace Gast, 
Pat Nault, Jerry Roberts, Kenneth and Norma Plunk, Jack Ward, 
Harvey McClendon, Bobby Beane, Gene Keenon, Amanda Nobles, Bill 
Woodall, Sammy and Cherisa York, the Reverend Frank and Margaret 
Mathews, Bob Ellzey, Wayne McDougal, Dr. Bill Holda, Randy and Ann 
Brogoitti, and Tim Vaughn; and
	WHEREAS, These proud Texans, like their fellow Kilgore 
residents, look forward to what lies ahead for this remarkable 
city, for they know that Kilgore is possessed of a future every bit 
as bright as its past is colorful; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby recognize March 1, 2005, as Kilgore Day at the 
State Capitol and extend sincere best wishes to all those 
associated with this memorable event.