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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Residents of Panola County are gathering in Austin |
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on February 10, 2015, to celebrate Panola County Day at the State |
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Capitol; and |
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WHEREAS, Located in northeastern Texas and forming part of |
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the state's border with Louisiana, Panola County covers more than |
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800 square miles of forests and rolling plains and is traversed by |
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the Sabine River; the area experienced a land rush in the 1830s as |
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settlers arrived from the southern United States; on March 30, |
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1846, the Texas Legislature officially created Panola County, and |
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two years later, voters chose Carthage as the county seat; and |
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WHEREAS, It is believed that Judge John Allison, a prominent |
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civic leader, suggested the name Panola, which may be derived from |
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the Cherokee word for cotton, ponolo; the area's rich soil was well |
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suited to the crop, and cotton became the county's main |
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agricultural product; today, Panola County enjoys a diversified |
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economy, primarily based in oil and gas production, agriculture, |
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food processing, and timber; the lush forests also make the county a |
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popular destination for hiking, birding, and camping enthusiasts, |
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while anglers enjoy the good fishing waters of Martin Creek Lake and |
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Murvaul Lake; and |
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WHEREAS, With nearly 50 Texas Historical Commission markers, |
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Panola County has a rich and fascinating history; it was the |
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birthplace of several notable Texans, including Margie Elizabeth |
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Neal, the first woman elected to serve in the Texas Senate, and |
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country music stars Tex Ritter and Jim Reeves; a museum dedicated to |
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Mr. Ritter and a memorial devoted to Mr. Reeves are located in |
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Carthage, as is the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, which honors |
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the legacies of both of these men, along with other country music |
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legends from the state; and |
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WHEREAS, Carthage, which was named a National Main Street |
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City in Texas in 2011, is also home to Panola College and the |
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historic Esquire Theater, which hosts the Country Music Hayride |
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live music show every Saturday night; other popular events taking |
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place in the county seat include the Piney Woods Quilt Festival in |
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April and the East Texas Oil and Gas Blast in October, which |
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features live music, a car show, and arts and crafts; in addition, |
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the Footprints in the Sand monument, a poignant religious sculpture |
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at Pippen Memorial Park, was completed in 2014; and |
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WHEREAS, The citizens of Panola County have long made an |
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important contribution to the Lone Star State, and it is most |
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fitting that they be honored on this special day; now, therefore, be |
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it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize February 10, 2015, as Panola County |
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Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation |
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sincere best wishes for a memorable and meaningful visit to Austin. |