SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 288

WHEREAS, Residents from Collin County are gathering at the State Capitol on March 2 and 3, 2015, to celebrate Collin County Days, and this event provides an opportunity to pay tribute to its many prosperous communities; and

WHEREAS, Collin County is one of the largest and fastest-growing counties in the state; more than 90 percent of its workforce over the age of 25 holds a high school diploma and about half has earned at least a bachelor's degree; such highly skilled workers also make the county a leader in job growth; and

WHEREAS, Plano is the largest city in the county and home to such major companies as Frito-Lay, J. C. Penney Company, Incorporated, Ericsson, H. P. Enterprise Services, and Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Incorporated; Toyota has established its North American headquarters in Plano, as has Hilti Corporation; cited as one of the top 10 best cities in which to find a job, Plano has also been named one of the Best Run Cities in America by 24/7 Wall St.; this thriving municipality boasts nationally recognized schools, award-winning parks, a lively historic downtown district, and multicultural neighborhoods that appeal equally to families, young singles, and retirees; its excellent restaurants, vibrant shopping districts, exciting entertainment venues, and active local arts scene all contribute to the city's high quality of life; and

WHEREAS, Home of the Collin County Regional Airport, McKinney hosts such major employers as Raytheon Company, Encore Wire Corporation, Emerson Process Management, and Torchmark Corporation; its historic downtown encompasses more than 130 boutiques, and it earned the ranking of #1 Best Place to Live 2014 by Money magazine; and

WHEREAS, Allen was named among the 10 safest cities in the nation in its class for the third time by CQ Press, and it has also placed 13th on Money magazine's list of the Best Places to Live; the city received the Keep Texas Beautiful Governor's Community Award for its environmental efforts, and its residents are proud of the 2014 6A Division 1 high school football champions, the Allen Eagles; and

WHEREAS, Defining "Progress in Motion," Frisco is the second-fastest growing city in the country and the fastest-growing community over the past decade, according to the United States census bureau; it has maintained its quality of life amid rapid development, and the Dallas Morning News named Frisco among its top 10 suburbs for schools, safety, families with children, young adults, empty nesters, and "Best Overall" neighborhoods; known for top-notch public safety services, the city received the highest rating for fire protection, and it enjoys one of the lowest crime rates, as well as low taxes; this once-small town is home to Collin College, world-class venues, and four professional sports teams, with another on the way; active residents have access to 49 parks, 86 miles of trails, and an athletic center featuring an outdoor water park; health care facilities include three hospitals, and the favorable business climate supports more than nine million square feet of retail and restaurants; among the cultural amenities are two museums and hundreds of public and private art installations displayed throughout Frisco's 72-square-mile area; and

WHEREAS, The City of Wylie, Wylie Independent School District, Wylie Chamber of Commerce, and Wylie Economic Development Corporation work in concert to build a strong community that strives to honor the past, embrace the present, and plan for the future, while valuing unity, relationships, and trust, as evidenced by a recent report naming Wylie the second-best small city in the country in which to raise a family; Wylie fosters a spirit of cooperation, and with a thriving business environment and outstanding schools, it is a place people treasure and proudly call home; and

WHEREAS, Richardson is the home of The University of Texas at Dallas and the Telecom Corridor; it has been recognized by the Texas Legislature as the official International Business Capital of North Texas and is the second largest employment center in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex; more than 10,000 people will soon be employed at the CityLine development by KDC, which includes State Farm's new regional campus and Raytheon's Intelligence Information and Services unit; welcoming numerous visitors, the city hosts the Wildflower! Arts and Music Festival, the largest such event in North Texas, and the Cottonwood Art Festival, one of the top outdoor arts festivals in the nation; and

WHEREAS, The city of Murphy, an affluent residential community in southeastern Collin County, has maintained its designation as a top 10 Best Suburb by D Magazine since the inception of the ratings; Murphy boasts over 219 acres of parkland, and it has rich community programs along with a culturally diverse, highly educated population of over 20,000; exciting new businesses have joined an engaging business community, and residents take pride in the city's ranking as the third-safest city in North Texas and the fifth safest in the state; and

WHEREAS, Recognized by D Magazine as a top 10 suburb, Prosper issued more than 550 single-family housing permits in 2014, and it has a billion-dollar mixed-use development in the works; it is home to several top housing developers, including Blue Star Development, LandPlan, and Terra Verde Group; Prosper's citizens have passed a $710 million bond package for their public schools, which have maintained academic excellence while experiencing a growth in enrollment of 50 percent over the last three years; the city's outstanding police department offers such community outreach and crime prevention programs as Citizens on Patrol, the Citizens Police Academy, and Prosper Community Watch, among others; and

WHEREAS, One of two platinum-level Scenic Cities in Texas, Fairview has been recognized as a Tree City USA and earned a 2012 Growing Green Cities Award; the city is home to the first street in Texas illuminated by LED lighting and is a three-time recipient of the Texas Municipal League Municipal Excellence Award; the city's Veterans' Park has been recognized with a Patriotic Achievement Award from the Military Order of the World Wars; and

WHEREAS, The crossroads of the developing transportation corridor in northern Collin County, Celina is growing rapidly while retaining its respect for the traditional values of family and heritage; its school district is rich in academic and athletic achievement, with the Celina Bobcats earning pride of place as the winners of eight state football championships; and

WHEREAS, Since its incorporation in 1959, Lucas has embraced its serene rural lifestyle, which creates a high quality of life for its citizens; it is a country oasis of spacious homes, small ranches, and farms, with 25 miles of trails for horses and pedestrians along Lake Lavon; the focus on wildlife habitat preservation has made it the perfect home for the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center; moreover, quality schools and a vibrant residential market keep Lucas family friendly; the city's emphasis on financial stability and transparency has earned it the Certificate in Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association, along with the Texas Comptroller's Leadership Circle Platinum Award and an AA+ bond rating; enhancing the safety of the public, the City of Lucas Fire Department provides emergency medical services; the department continues to benefit from volunteerism, and the community is justly known as a small city with a big heart; and

WHEREAS, The citizens of Parker are proud to be living in D Magazine's number two suburb in the DFW Metroplex, and they also enjoy a low municipal tax rate, as well as a AAA bond rating; the residents number about 4,000, and they cherish their uniquely "country" lifestyle; characterized by its large lots and comfortable atmosphere, Parker is known to millions of television viewers as the home of the legendary Southfork Ranch from Dallas; and

WHEREAS, One of the fastest-growing cities in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, the city of Anna is a family-friendly community with hometown appeal; its residents enjoy an unhurried and friendly atmosphere, with safe neighborhoods, excellent schools, and access to many urban amenities; local businesses benefit from affordable real estate, a low cost of doing business, a well-educated workforce, an active chamber of commerce, and dedicated consumers; and

WHEREAS, Farmersville, located 15 miles east of McKinney, took its name from the primary occupation of its original residents; established in 1849 as a settlement on the Jefferson-McKinney Road and near the Republic of Texas National Road, the town was incorporated in 1873; agriculture kept pace as it became a trade center, and in the 1930s, Farmersville shipped over 1,000 carloads of onions annually, earning the nickname "Onion Capital of North Texas"; the city may be best known for native son Audie Murphy, who listed Farmersville as his hometown when he enlisted in the army during WWII and returned home to a hero's welcome in 1945; he had earned every army citation for valor, was a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, and was posthumously awarded the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor; Farmersville has a nationally recognized Main Street Program, with many historic downtown buildings, eateries, and shopping attractions; near the restored Onion Shed is the trailhead for the 130-mile Northeast Texas Trail, a beautiful site for walking, hiking, and bicycling; and

WHEREAS, Other communities add much to Collin County's allure; the growing community of Blue Ridge is committed to revitalizing its downtown, while the people of Josephine are proud of their active volunteer fire department, which not only protects the community but hosts such popular annual events as the Easter egg hunt and the Christmas parade; and

WHEREAS, Also contributing to the development of Collin County are the citizens of Copeville, Lavon, Lowry Crossing, Melissa, Nevada, New Hope, Princeton, Royse City, Sachse, Saint Paul, Westminster, and Weston, along with parts of Dallas and Garland, and those communities play an important part in the county's flourishing, diversified economy and its quality of life; and

WHEREAS, The citizens of this notable North Texas county are working to preserve the best of their past even as they look forward to a bright and promising future, and they are sure to figure prominently in the growth and prosperity of the Lone Star State in the years ahead; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th Legislature, hereby recognize March 2 and 3, 2015, as Collin County Days at the State Capitol and extend sincere best wishes to the visiting delegation for an informative and enjoyable visit to Austin.

Taylor of Collin, Estes

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 2, 2015.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate

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Member, Texas Senate