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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Proud residents of Athens are gathering in Austin on |
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February 25, 2009, to celebrate Athens Day at the State Capitol; and |
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WHEREAS, Athens was first incorporated in 1856, but steady |
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development began after it was reincorporated in 1901; agriculture |
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has long been an important element in the town's economy, and the |
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prominence of the black-eyed pea crop between the 1930s and 1970s |
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resulted in the town garnering the unofficial title of "black-eyed |
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pea capital of the world"; and |
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WHEREAS, Through the decades, this charming East Texas city |
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has seen significant growth, and today has a diverse economy that |
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includes industrial manufacturing and other businesses in addition |
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to farming and livestock ventures; education is a key element in the |
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town's productivity, with Trinity Valley Community College and the |
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area's other schools helping residents to prepare for the future; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Athens has been proclaimed the Original Home of the |
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Hamburger by the Texas Legislature in tribute to the role that city |
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resident Fletcher Davis played in the creation of this American |
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favorite; the town features many exciting annual events, including |
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the Athens Fiddlers Contest and Reunion, the Chamber of Commerce |
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PRCA Stampede Rodeo, the Athens Triathlon, the Smith MDA Benefit |
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Rodeo, and the Chamber of Commerce Business Exposition; and |
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WHEREAS, Visitors and residents alike enjoy the city's |
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tourist attractions and cultural institutions; these include the |
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East Texas Arboretum, the Henderson County Historical Museum, the |
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Henderson County Performing Arts Center, the Cain Center, the |
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Henderson County Fairpark Complex, and the Texas Freshwater |
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Fisheries Center, which features 300,000 gallons of aquarium |
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exhibits and every major species of freshwater fish found in Texas; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, With its relaxed way of life and many attractive |
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features, Athens has much to offer retirees and has been recognized |
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as a Certified Retirement Community by the Texas Department of |
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Agriculture; and |
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WHEREAS, This lovely city continues to be one of the Lone Star |
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State's great assets and an outstanding place in which to live, |
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work, and raise a family, and it is indeed appropriate that the |
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citizens of Athens be given special recognition for their numerous |
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achievements and contributions; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize February 25, 2009, as Athens Day at |
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the State Capitol and join the citizens of that city in paying |
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tribute to their hometown. |