SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 603

WHEREAS, Residents of Rusk County are gathering in Austin on April 21, 2009, to celebrate Rusk County Day at the State Capitol; and

WHEREAS, Four Spanish expeditions traveled through this scenic region between 1691 and 1788, and Anglo settlers began to arrive in large numbers after the Texas Revolution; in 1843, Rusk County was formed, named for Thomas Jefferson Rusk, who had been secretary of war in the Republic of Texas, and the new county seat was named after James Pinckney Henderson, who soon became the first governor of the State of Texas; and

WHEREAS, For over 90 years, Rusk County's economy depended mainly on the growing of cotton, but in 1930, Columbus M. "Dad" Joiner struck oil with the Daisy Bradford No. 1 well, initiating one of the richest oil booms in American history; in three years, the amount of oil pumped out of Rusk County grew from 27,000 barrels in 1931 to over 200 million barrels in 1933, and wildcatters and speculators poured into the county, turning Henderson into a lively boomtown; and

WHEREAS, Today, oil and agriculture continue to be important to the region's prosperity, along with lignite coal and natural gas; the county is also an important center for the lumber industry, and the area's distinctive clays are used to manufacture some of the best bricks in Texas; and

WHEREAS, The colorful days of the 1930s oil boom are recreated at the Gaston Museum in Joinerville, which is only two miles from "Dad" Joiner's East Texas Discovery Well, and the Depot Museum and Children's Discovery Center in Henderson features a handsomely restored Missouri Pacific Railroad depot and several other restored historic buildings from the 1800s; and

WHEREAS, Martin Creek Lake State Park offers ample opportunities for recreation in the area, and the annual Heritage Syrup Festival in November and the Wildflower Driving Trails every spring delight residents and visitors alike; and

WHEREAS, Picturesque and historic, Rusk County is home to industrious and innovative citizens who can take great pride in their heritage even as they look forward to a bright future; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st Legislature, hereby recognize April 21, 2009, as Rusk County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the county's visiting delegation best wishes for an informative and enjoyable stay in Austin. Eltife

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 22, 2009.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate