H.R. No. 816
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, Proud residents of Vernon and Wilbarger County are
  gathering to celebrate Wilbarger County and City of Vernon Day at
  the State Capitol on March 4, 2015; and
         WHEREAS, Situated upon the rolling grasslands of North Texas,
  Wilbarger County was once part of the buffalo hunting grounds of the
  Comanche; named for early settlers Josiah and Mathias Wilbarger,
  the county was established in 1858; a branch of the Great Western
  Trail passed through the area, and from 1879 to 1895, some six
  million head of cattle traversed the Red River at Doan's Crossing
  during the great drives north; oil, discovered in the early 20th
  century, remains important to the region's economy; and
         WHEREAS, County seat Vernon, designated by voters in 1881,
  was originally called Eagle Flat for the abundance of nesting
  eagles nearby; today, the city is a center for farming, ranching,
  and the petroleum industry; the birthplace of rock and roll legend
  Roy Orbison, the town is also home to Vernon College and the Red
  River Valley Museum, which chronicles the history, culture, and
  geography of the region; and
         WHEREAS, Formed in the mid-19th century, the Waggoner Ranch,
  south of Vernon, became the largest ranch under one fence in the
  nation and a five-time winner of the Texas Ranch Roundup; the Santa
  Rosa Palomino Club is a renowned precision equestrian riding club,
  and the club's annual Santa Rosa Roundup in Vernon draws thousands
  of visitors and top professional rodeo riders; residents and
  visitors alike also enjoy the picnic every May at Doan's Crossing, a
  130-year tradition that is one of the oldest annual events in Texas;
  and
         WHEREAS, Celebrating their rich and colorful history as they
  work together to build a bright future, the citizens of Vernon and
  Wilbarger County may take justifiable pride in the important role
  their unique region continues to play in the story of the Lone Star
  State; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
  Legislature hereby recognize March 4, 2015, as Wilbarger County and
  City of Vernon Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting
  delegation sincere best wishes for an informative and enjoyable
  stay in Austin.
 
  Springer
 
  ______________________________
  Speaker of the House     
 
         I certify that H.R. No. 816 was adopted by the House on March
  4, 2015, by a non-record vote.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House