SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 220

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize the citizens of Falls County and the City of Marlin who have come to Austin on February 17, 2011, to celebrate their region's rich Texas heritage on the occasion of Falls County and Marlin Day at the Capitol; and

WHEREAS, The falls of the Brazos River were an important fording and camping area for native American Indians and white settlers who arrived in the area as early as 1819; and

WHEREAS, On January 28, 1850, the Texas Legislature formed Falls County from Limestone and Milam Counties, naming it after the falls of the Brazos; and

WHEREAS, Falls County has four incorporated communities, including Rosebud, Lott, Golinda, and the county seat of Marlin, Texas; and

WHEREAS, Falls County encompasses 765 square miles of gently rolling terrain in the Blackland Prairie region and has a rich and diverse agricultural heritage; it has been a significant producer of cotton, wool, corn, wheat, grain sorghum, and cattle; and

WHEREAS, The City of Marlin traces its roots to the establishment of a city site four miles east of the Brazos River in 1834; the city was named after pioneer patriot John Marlin, and it now marks the intersection of State Highways 6 and 7; and

WHEREAS, The Houston and Texas Central Railroad, along with the International-Great Northern Railroad, at the turn of the 20th century helped establish Marlin as a destination location due to the healing properties found in the hot mineral waters of Falls County; and

WHEREAS, For more than a century, the hot mineral water springs of Marlin have been an integral part of the growth and development of the city, both as the central attraction of numerous health resorts and as a source of geothermal energy; and

WHEREAS, Falls County is the home of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division Hobby Unit, Marlin N1 Unit, and Medical Care Center and the Falls County Law Enforcement Center; and

WHEREAS, The City of Marlin was the home of United States Senator Tom Connally, Senate Foreign Relations Chairman during the establishment of the United Nations, as well as world renowned gospel and blues singer Blind Willie Johnson and internationally known jazz artist Bobbi Humphrey; and

WHEREAS, The citizens of the City of Marlin and Falls County can take great pride in their rich history and their many contributions to the growth and progress of this state; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd Legislature, hereby recognize February 17, 2011, as Falls County and Marlin Day at the Capitol; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in honor of this special day.

Birdwell

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 14, 2011.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate