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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Waco Day is taking place at the State Capitol on |
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February 24, 2009, and this occasion provides a welcome opportunity |
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to pay tribute to this notable Texas community; and |
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WHEREAS, Founded in 1849, Waco played a central role in the |
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development of the Lone Star State in the 1800s, serving as a center |
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for cotton farming, as a stopping point for the cowboys on the |
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Chisholm Trail, and as a thriving transportation and marketing hub; |
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by the mid-1900s, it had grown into an important manufacturing |
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center, and in recent decades, it has seen diverse businesses such |
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as health care and aerospace make significant contributions to the |
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prosperity of its citizens; tourism, too, is important to Waco, |
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with favorite attractions such as the Texas Sports Hall of Fame and |
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Texas Rangers Hall of Fame and Museum drawing visitors to the city; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Throughout its history, education has been a key |
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element in Waco's success; Baylor University has been part of the |
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city since 1887, and Texas State Technical College and McLennan |
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Community College have further boosted the town's reputation as a |
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place of learning, research, and innovation; and |
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WHEREAS, A fitting symbol of the city's forward-thinking |
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attitude is the new home of the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, |
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which opened in June 2008; specifically designed to qualify for |
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gold-level certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, it |
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incorporates a range of innovative features to create an |
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environmentally sensitive landmark that is serving as a model for |
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additional sustainable construction projects; and |
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WHEREAS, Waco's advantageous business conditions are |
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spurring economic development in various ways; in 2008 alone, |
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numerous companies initiated new endeavors in the city or expanded |
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existing operations; moreover, the dynamic business community in |
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the greater Waco area has developed a strategic plan for future |
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economic advancement and is focusing on attracting a number of |
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target industries to the city; and |
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WHEREAS, Even as they look optimistically to the future, area |
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residents still take pleasure in the town's enduring attractions, |
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including its high quality of life and the scenic surroundings of |
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Lake Waco and other pleasant cityscapes; these features further |
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demonstrate the appeal of the Waco community, which is continuing |
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to make vital contributions to the Lone Star State, as it has for |
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160 years; 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 24, 2009, as Waco Day at the |
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State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation best wishes for |
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an enjoyable and productive visit to Austin. |