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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Proud residents of Athens are gathering in Austin on |
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February 18, 2015, to celebrate Athens Day at the State Capitol; and |
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WHEREAS, Athens was first incorporated in 1856, but steady |
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development began after it was reincorporated in 1901; agriculture |
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has long been an important element in the town's economy, and the |
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prominence of the black-eyed pea crop between the 1930s and 1970s |
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resulted in the town garnering the unofficial title of "Black-Eyed |
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Pea Capital of the World"; and |
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WHEREAS, Through the decades, this charming East Texas town |
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has seen significant growth, and today its diverse economic base |
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includes industrial manufacturing and other businesses in addition |
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to farming and livestock ventures; education is a key element in the |
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town's productivity, with Trinity Valley Community College and the |
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area's other schools helping residents to prepare for the future; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Athens has been proclaimed the Original Home of the |
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Hamburger by the Texas Legislature in tribute to the role that city |
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resident Fletcher Davis played in the creation of this American |
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favorite; the town features many exciting annual events, including |
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the Old Fiddlers Contest and Reunion, the Chamber of Commerce PRCA |
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Stampede Rodeo, the Athens Triathlon, and the Smith MDA Benefit |
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Rodeo; and |
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WHEREAS, Visitors and residents alike enjoy such cultural |
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institutions as the East Texas Arboretum, the Henderson County |
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Historical Museum, the Henderson County Performing Arts Center, the |
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Cain Center, the Henderson County Fairpark Complex, and the Texas |
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Freshwater Fisheries Center, where 300,000 gallons of aquarium |
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exhibits feature a wide variety of native Texas fish in natural |
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environments; and |
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WHEREAS, With its relaxed way of life and many attractive |
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amenities, Athens has much to offer retirees and has been |
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recognized as a Certified Retirement Community by the Texas |
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Department of Agriculture; and |
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WHEREAS, This lovely city continues to be one of the Lone Star |
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State's great assets and an outstanding place in which to live, |
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work, and raise a family, and its citizens may indeed take pride in |
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their hometown's ongoing achievements; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize February 18, 2015, as Athens Day at |
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the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere |
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best wishes for a memorable stay in Austin. |