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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Proud residents of Harrison County are gathering to |
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celebrate Harrison County Day at the State Capitol on April 9, 2009; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Situated among the rolling piney woods of East |
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Texas, Harrison County was first inhabited by the Caddo people, and |
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large numbers of non-Native American settlers began to arrive in |
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the 1830s; the county was established by the Republic of Texas in |
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1839 and named after Texas revolutionary leader Jonas Harrison; and |
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WHEREAS, The city of Marshall, founded in 1841, became the |
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county seat the following year; at the time of the Civil War, it was |
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one of the most populous and prosperous cities in the state, and it |
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produced a large amount of saddles, clothing, gunpowder, and |
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ammunition for the Confederate Army; and |
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WHEREAS, Cotton was the basis for the county's economy for |
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many years and continued to be important well into the 20th century; |
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in addition, the red and white clay soils of the region are |
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excellent for stoneware, and the county is home to numerous pottery |
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companies, including Marshall Pottery, which was established in |
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1896 and remains one of the largest manufacturers of red clay pots |
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in the nation; the area's diverse economy is further enhanced by the |
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lumber industry, oil and gas production, manufacturing, and |
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ranching and farming; and |
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WHEREAS, Outdoor enthusiasts take advantage of the fine |
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opportunities for camping, hiking, fishing, and boating at Caddo |
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Lake State Park, home of the only natural lake in Texas; the |
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county's past is evoked at the Starr Family Home State Historic |
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Site, while the picturesque Ginocchio National Historic District in |
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Marshall preserves several fine examples of early Texas |
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architecture; and |
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WHEREAS, The educational needs of Harrison County are met by |
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such fine institutions as Wiley College, East Texas Baptist |
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University, and Texas State Technical College; those schools' |
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cultural offerings are supplemented by the Michelson Museum of Art, |
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which features work by several important early 20th century |
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artists; and |
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WHEREAS, Residents and visitors alike enjoy the county's |
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colorful annual festivals, including Stagecoach Days in May and the |
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FireAnt Festival and Western Days in October; the yearly Wonderland |
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of Lights, held in Marshall during the holiday season, has drawn |
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visitors from all 50 states and around the world; and |
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WHEREAS, Celebrating their rich heritage as they work toward |
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a bright tomorrow, the citizens of Harrison County may indeed take |
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great pride in their unique contribution to the history and culture |
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of the Lone Star State; 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 April 9, 2009, as Harrison County Day |
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at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere |
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best wishes for an informative and enjoyable stay in Austin. |