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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Proud citizens of Rusk County are assembling at the |
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Texas State Capitol to celebrate Rusk County Day on February 7, |
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2007; and |
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WHEREAS, A picturesque region of rolling hills in the Piney |
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Woods of East Texas, Rusk County was first occupied by the Caddo and |
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the Cherokee tribes; the first European settlers arrived in the |
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1830s, and on January 16, 1843, the county was formed by act of the |
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Congress of the Republic of Texas and named after Thomas Jefferson |
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Rusk, secretary of war under Texas President Sam Houston; and |
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WHEREAS, For many years, the county's economy was based on |
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cotton and other agriculture, but on October 3, 1930, Columbus |
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Marion "Dad" Joiner struck oil at his famous Daisy Bradford #3 well, |
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opening up the East Texas oil field, which at the time was the |
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largest oil field in the world; three years later, Rusk County was |
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producing over 200 million barrels of petroleum a year, turning |
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county seat Henderson from a sleepy village to a bustling boomtown; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Oil and agriculture continue to be mainstays of the |
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county's economy, along with natural gas, timber, and the mining of |
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lignite coal; in addition, Rusk County's bricks, made from the |
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region's unique clay soil, are highly prized; the county economy is |
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further bolstered by two correctional institutions, with Bradshaw |
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State Jail in Henderson being the largest privately owned and |
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operated state jail in the world; and |
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WHEREAS, Only two miles from "Dad" Joiner's original well, |
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the Gaston Museum in Joinerville commemorates the history of the |
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East Texas oil field; in Henderson, the Depot Museum, a beautifully |
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restored Missouri Pacific railway depot from 1901, hosts the annual |
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Heritage Syrup Festival every November; recreational opportunities |
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abound in the county's parks, including Martin Creek Lake State |
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Park, which offers swimming, boating, fishing, waterskiing, and |
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other activities; and |
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WHEREAS, With its rich history, scenic landscape, and |
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prosperous economy, Rusk County has contributed greatly to the |
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proud traditions of the Lone Star State, and its citizens can be |
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proud to make their homes in this lovely and productive area; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 80th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby designate February 7, 2007, as Rusk County Day at the State |
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Capitol and extend to the county's visiting citizens a warm welcome |
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and best wishes for an enjoyable stay in Austin. |