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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, On March 11, 2009, many proud residents of the city |
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of Corsicana and Navarro County are gathering in Austin to |
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celebrate Corsicana/Navarro County Day at the State Capitol; and |
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WHEREAS, Officially organized in 1846, the county is named |
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for Jose Antonio Navarro, a signer of the Texas Declaration of |
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Independence and a prominent leader during the days of the Texas |
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Republic and early statehood; and |
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WHEREAS, The arrival of the Houston and Texas Central |
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Railroad in the early 1870s helped to spur the development of this |
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region; the county's multifaceted economy now revolves around |
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agriculture, advanced manufacturing, information technology, and |
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the oil and gas industries; and |
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WHEREAS, Corsicana was established in 1848 to serve as the |
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Navarro County seat and became a prosperous commercial center in |
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the late 1880s; in 1894, drillers seeking more water for the town's |
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growing population struck oil and gas instead and their find, the |
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earliest major oil discovery west of the Mississippi, led to the |
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state's first oil boom; and |
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WHEREAS, Over the years, this initial strike was followed by |
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the discovery of several additional oil fields; since 1895, Navarro |
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County has produced more than 200 million barrels and today has the |
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longest continual flow of oil in Texas; moreover, Corsicana holds |
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the distinction of being the first city in Texas to use gas for fuel |
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and lighting; and |
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WHEREAS, Corsicana is world-famous for its DeLuxe Fruitcake, |
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a creation of the 113-year-old Collin Street Bakery; shipped |
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throughout the United States and to more than 200 foreign countries |
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each year, this confection holds the prestigious Gourmet Society |
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Culinary Merit Award; and |
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WHEREAS, A charming community and the largest town in the |
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county, Corsicana features many attractions, including the Lefty |
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Frizzell Country Music Museum, the Warehouse Living Arts Center, |
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the award-winning restored Palace Theater, and Pioneer Village, a |
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historical recreation of a 19th century town; in addition, Navarro |
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College is home to one of the finest Native American art collections |
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in the Southwest at the Gaston C. Gooch Library, the Cook Center for |
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Arts, Science, and Technology, and the extensive Pearce Collection |
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Museum of Civil War and Western Art; and |
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WHEREAS, Visitors and locals alike can keep up with news and |
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events in Corsicana and the region by reading the Corsicana Daily |
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Sun, whose presses have been rolling now for more than a century; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, This geographically diverse area is a haven for |
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outdoor and water enthusiasts, who find ample opportunity for |
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boating, fishing, skiing, and numerous other activities at |
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Richland-Chambers Reservoir, Navarro Mills Lake, and Lake Halbert; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, The citizens of Corsicana and Navarro County are |
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continuing to build on their colorful history and rich heritage, |
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and it is most appropriate to honor them as they embrace the myriad |
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challenges and opportunities of the 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 March 11, 2009, as Corsicana/Navarro |
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County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the citizens visiting |
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today best wishes for an informative trip to the seat of Texas |
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government. |