SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 436

WHEREAS, On March 7, 2007, proud residents of Hunt County are visiting Austin on the occasion of Hunt County Day at the State Capitol, presenting a fitting opportunity to celebrate that vibrant region of the Lone Star State; and

WHEREAS, Located in the Blackland Prairie of northeastern Texas, Hunt County's first inhabitants were the Kiowa Indians; Anglo settlers arrived in 1839, and the county was officially formed from parts of Fannin and Nacogdoches Counties in 1846; with Greenville as its seat, the county was named after Memucan Hunt, secretary of the navy and minister to Washington under the Republic of Texas; and

WHEREAS, While the county's early economy depended mainly on cotton, life changed dramatically after the Civil War; the arrival of the railroad in the mid-1870s was a catalyst for 11 communities that sprang up around train depots, and by the early 20th century, Hunt County was home to the first municipally owned public utilities in Texas and a number of industries centered around the cotton trade, such as cotton-spinning mills, cotton compresses, and a cottonseed-oil refinery; and

WHEREAS, Hunt County has continued to grow and today has more than 82,000 residents; its diverse economy now includes such industries as aircraft electronics and plastics distribution, and eight Fortune 500 companies have offices in Greenville; and

WHEREAS, The county is well served by two institutions of higher learning, Texas A&M University--Commerce and the Greenville Center of Paris Junior College, and it is enriched by a number of recreational and cultural attractions; picturesque Lake Tawakoni State Park is a destination for boating, swimming, camping, and hiking, the Mathews Prairie Nature Preserve, a 100-acre tract of native prairie meadow that has never been plowed, is ideal for birders and wildflower enthusiasts, and the Audie Murphy/American Cotton Museum commemorates the importance of cotton to the region and celebrates the life of Hunt County native Audie Murphy, film star and the most decorated American soldier of World War II; and

WHEREAS, The citizens of Hunt County may take justifiable pride in their community and know that it has contributed immensely to the history and vitality of Texas; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 80th Legislature, hereby recognize March 7, 2007, as Hunt County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere best wishes for an enjoyable and memorable stay in Austin. Deuell

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 7, 2007.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate