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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Residents of Panola County are gathering in Austin |
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on February 26, 2009, to celebrate Panola County Day at the State |
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Capitol; and |
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WHEREAS, These rolling, East Texas timberlands were first |
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inhabited in historic times by the Caddo and Hasinai; by 1840, 49 |
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families had emigrated into the area from the American South; |
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Panola County was established in 1846 and may have been named by |
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cotton planter John Allison after the Cherokee word for cotton, |
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ponolo; Carthage was chosen as the county seat in 1848; and |
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WHEREAS, In its early years, the county's economy was based |
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on farming and livestock; the lumber industry became important |
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after the Civil War, and today timber, poultry, and beef continue to |
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be important sources of revenue; the discovery in the 20th century |
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of a significant petroleum reservoir and one of the largest natural |
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gas fields in the world has also helped the county prosper and grow; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Panola County is the birthplace of Margie Elizabeth |
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Neal, a leading campaigner for women's suffrage and the first woman |
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to serve in the Texas Senate; the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame |
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in Carthage celebrates the leading role of Texans in this uniquely |
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American art form, with special exhibits devoted to two other |
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Panola County natives, country music greats Tex Ritter and |
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"Gentleman" Jim Reeves; and |
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WHEREAS, Anglers are drawn to Martin Lake and Lake Murvaul by |
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the opportunity to catch largemouth bass, catfish, and crappie, |
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while hikers, birders, and campers enjoy the region's lush forests; |
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Carthage hosts the annual Piney Woods Quilt Festival, and the |
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county celebrates its heritage with the yearly East Texas Oil and |
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Gas Blast, which features live music, free food, a car show, and |
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arts and crafts; the Texas Tea Room and Heritage Museum chronicles |
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the county's rich history; and |
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WHEREAS, The citizens of Panola County remain justly proud of |
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their county's contributions to the Lone Star State, even as they |
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work to build a still brighter future; 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 26, 2009, as Panola County |
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Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation |
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sincere best wishes for a memorable and enjoyable stay in Austin. |