SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 324

WHEREAS, Citizens from Shelby County, including members of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, are celebrating Shelby County Day at the State Capitol on March 5, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Originally organized by the Mexican government as the Tenehaw Municipality, this lovely region was reorganized as Shelby County by the Congress of the Republic of Texas in 1836 and was named for Isaac Shelby, a United States Revolutionary War soldier from Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, Shelby County's landscape is rich with hills and timber and is an ideal area for hunting, fishing, and camping; and

WHEREAS, Center, the county seat and the county's largest town, is home to the Shelby County Museum, Shelby College Center, and the Shelby County Courthouse, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the only Irish-castle-style courthouse in the nation; and

WHEREAS, Nestled deep in the Piney Woods of East Texas, the county is abundant in natural resources, and the area's economy is boosted by the Haynesville Shale, timber, cattle, and poultry production; although agriculture has served as the foundation of the county's economy, manufacturing has also played an important role since 1850; and

WHEREAS, Residents of Center will celebrate the Texas Department of Transportation's completion of the Loop 500 extension in 2015; the enhanced transportation infrastructure will support the growth of local industries, retail businesses, and residential development by easing congestion, improving traffic flow, and allowing for an expansion of infrastructure to previously underserved areas of the city and county; and

WHEREAS, This unique and vibrant county continues to be one of the Lone Star State's most treasured regions, and it is a pleasure to pay tribute to the residents of Shelby County and express appreciation for their contributions to our fair state; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th Legislature, hereby recognize March 5, 2015, as Shelby County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the delegation from Shelby County sincere best wishes for an enjoyable visit; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in honor of Shelby County. Nichols

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 4, 2015.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate