H.R. No. 422

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Proud residents of Falls County and the City of Marlin are gathering in Austin on February 17, 2011, to celebrate Falls County and Marlin Day at the State Capitol; and

WHEREAS, Taking its name from the falls of the Brazos River, the area has a long and colorful history; in the early days, the site of the falls served as an important river crossing and campsite for American Indians and white settlers; several Indian tribes used the surrounding area as hunting grounds, and Cherokees settled in the environs in the 1830s; Americans of European descent first arrived in the vicinity in 1819, but they did not establish a permanent presence until after Sterling C. Robertson formed the Nashville colony in 1830; following the Texas Revolution, settlers from the United States began moving into the area in increasing numbers; and

WHEREAS, Falls County was officially created in 1850 from portions of Limestone and Milam Counties; situated in the Blackland Prairie, Falls County covers 765 square miles of gently rolling terrain that is bisected by the Brazos River; farming and ranching have always been important industries in the area, and the rich, fertile soil has produced abundant crops of cotton, corn, wheat, and grain sorghum, as well as provided excellent pastureland for raising cattle; in addition to Marlin, communities in the county include Rosebud, Lott, Golinda, Sunrise, Reagan, Satin, Perry, and Otto; and

WHEREAS, Marlin became the county seat on January 30, 1851; originally called Adams, the community was soon renamed in honor of John Marlin, one of the first Anglo settlers in the county; the town incorporated in 1867, and four years later it welcomed the arrival of its first railroad, the Houston and Texas Central; Marlin's character as an agricultural and trade center underwent further evolution after 1892, when drilling in the town tapped into hot mineral artesian water; the discovery led to Marlin's development as a noted health resort, and for more than 50 years, people would travel to the town to bathe in its spas; and

WHEREAS, Many accomplished Texans have called Marlin home, among them United States senator Thomas Connally, who played an instrumental role in the creation of the United Nations and NATO, and bluesman and slide guitar virtuoso "Blind Willie" Johnson; jazz artist Bobbi Humphrey, known as the "First Lady of the Flute," was born in Marlin, while LaDainian Tomlinson, who was named both the NFL Most Valuable Player and the Walter Payton Man of the Year for 2006, is from Rosebud; and

WHEREAS, Today, Marlin offers natural beauty, small-town charm, and a wide array of social and recreational resources; adding to the town's quality of life are a new library, a community playhouse, and a number of social organizations, including what is reportedly the oldest musical club in the state; moreover, the calendar is dotted throughout the year with a variety of special events; and

WHEREAS, The hardworking citizens of Falls County and Marlin can take justifiable pride in their rich history as they continue to build a bright future, and this is indeed a fitting opportunity to honor their many contributions to the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby recognize February 17, 2011, as Falls County and Marlin Day at the State Capitol and extend sincere best wishes to all those in attendance for an enjoyable visit to Austin.

Beck

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 422 was adopted by the House on February 17, 2011, by a non-record vote.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House