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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, On February 16, 2017, members of the Nacogdoches |
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County Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Nacogdoches, and Stephen F. |
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Austin State University and its Student Government and Alumni |
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Associations are visiting Austin to celebrate Nacogdoches-SFA Day |
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at the State Capitol; and |
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WHEREAS, Nacogdoches is the site of a Caddo Native American |
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settlement and a Spanish mission established in 1716; founded by |
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Antonio Gil Y'Barbo, it received designation from Spain as a pueblo |
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in 1779, and today it proudly calls itself the first town in Texas; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, The city became an important gateway for trade with |
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the French and later the Americans, and claims among its lengthy |
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list of Texas milestones being home to the first English-language |
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newspaper, oil well, and two-story building, as well as the state's |
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inaugural district court session; the nine flags flown over the |
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city include those of three short-lived early republics; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, the vintage charm of Nacogdoches brings |
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myriad tourists, who explore such attractions as the Old Stone |
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Fort, the Victorian homes along Mound Street, the 19th-century |
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buildings of Millard's Crossing, and the quaint antique shops and |
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restaurants along brick downtown streets; many also come to enjoy |
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the state-sanctioned Texas Blueberry Festival, which celebrates |
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the importance of the Texas blueberry industry, and to participate |
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in recreational activities at Lake Nacogdoches, Lake Naconiche, and |
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Sam Rayburn Reservoir, all known for their bass fishing; in |
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addition to tourism, the primary industries of the area include |
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agricultural services, manufacturing, and oil and gas, and the |
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construction and completion of the Interstate 69 system is critical |
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to continuing development in Nacogdoches County; and |
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WHEREAS, Education has been an important part of the area's |
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economy since Stephen F. Austin State University opened its doors |
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to 158 students on September 18, 1923; its alumni association was |
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organized just five years later and has worked diligently through |
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the years to support the school, which now has an enrollment of |
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approximately 13,000 students; SFA boasts an exceptionally scenic |
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campus recognized for the SFA Gardens and also operates a beef and |
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poultry farm, a dairy farm, an experimental forest, a forestry |
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field station, and the Waters of East Texas Center; its observatory |
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is the second largest not only in Texas but also in the Central Time |
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Zone, and on November 7, 2016, a groundbreaking ceremony was held |
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for the Ed and Gwen Cole STEM Building, which will provide new |
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educational opportunities for all Texans; and |
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WHEREAS, Beautifully situated in the Texas Forest Country, |
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Nacogdoches is attracting active retired Texans; it was one of the |
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first three communities in Texas recognized as a Go Texan certified |
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retirement community because of its cultural and sporting events, |
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health care, safety, and continuing education opportunities; |
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additionally, it has been designated the official Garden Capital of |
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Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, The combination of numerous amenities and a |
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neighborly atmosphere makes Nacogdoches a splendid place to live, |
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work, and study, and it is a pleasure to welcome those representing |
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the many facets of this vibrant part of the Lone Star State; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize February 16, 2017, as Nacogdoches-SFA |
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Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation best |
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wishes for an enjoyable stay in Austin. |