SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 682

WHEREAS, On April 12, 2007, many proud residents of the city of Corsicana and Navarro County are gathering in Austin to celebrate Corsicana/Navarro County Day at the State Capitol; and

WHEREAS, Officially organized in 1846, the county is named for Jose Antonio Navarro, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and a prominent leader during the days of the Texas Republic and early statehood; and

WHEREAS, The arrival of the Houston and Texas Central Railroad in the early 1870s helped to spur the development of this region; the county's multifaceted economy now revolves around agriculture, manufacturing, and the oil industry; and

WHEREAS, Corsicana was established in 1848 to serve as the Navarro County seat and became a prosperous commercial center in the late 1880s; in 1894, drillers seeking more water for the town's growing population struck oil and gas instead and their find, the earliest major oil discovery west of the Mississippi, led to the state's first oil boom; and

WHEREAS, Over the years, this initial strike was followed by the discovery of several additional oil fields; since 1895, Navarro County has produced more than 200 million barrels and today has the longest continual flow of oil in Texas; moreover, Corsicana holds the distinction of being the first city in Texas to use gas for fuel and lighting; and

WHEREAS, Corsicana is world-famous for its fruitcake, a creation of the 111-year-old Collin Street Bakery; shipped throughout the United States and to more than 200 foreign countries each year, this confection remains the only fruitcake ever to earn the prestigious Gourmet Society Culinary Merit Award; and

WHEREAS, A charming community and the largest town in the county, Corsicana features many attractions, including the Lefty Frizzell Country Music Museum, the Warehouse Living Arts Center, the award-winning restored Palace Theater, and Pioneer Village, a historical re-creation of a 19th century town; in addition, Navarro College is home to the Cook Center for Arts, Science, and Technology, the extensive Pearce Collection Museum of Civil War and Western Art, and one of the finest Native American art collections in the Southwest at the Gaston C. Gooch Library; and

WHEREAS, Visitors and locals alike can keep up with news and events in Corsicana and the region by reading the Corsicana Daily Sun, whose presses have been rolling now for more than a century; and

WHEREAS, This geographically diverse area is a haven for outdoor and water enthusiasts, who find ample opportunity for boating, fishing, skiing, and numerous other activities at Richland-Chambers Reservoir, Navarro Mills Lake, and Lake Halbert; and

WHEREAS, The citizens of Corsicana and Navarro County are continuing to build on their colorful history and rich heritage, and it is most appropriate to honor them as they embrace the myriad challenges and opportunities of the future; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 80th Legislature, hereby recognize April 12, 2007, as Corsicana/Navarro County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the citizens visiting today best wishes for an informative trip to the seat of Texas government. Averitt

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 11, 2007.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate