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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Proud citizens of Waco are gathering in Austin on |
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March 15, 2017, to celebrate Waco Day at the State Capitol; and |
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WHEREAS, Surveyor George B. Erath laid out the first block of |
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Waco in 1849, and lots were sold for five dollars each; named Waco |
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Village after the Huaco Indians who originally inhabited the area, |
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the new town was selected as the seat of McLennan County in 1850 and |
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incorporated as Waco in 1856; and |
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WHEREAS, After the Civil War, Waco became an important stop |
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on a spur of the Chisholm Trail, and by the early 1870s, more than |
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600,000 head of cattle had been driven through the area; the |
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railroad arrived in 1871, and the city subsequently became a |
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debarkation point for settlers heading west, as well as a shipping |
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hub for cotton, wool, and hides; and |
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WHEREAS, Waco today is home to the renowned Baylor |
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University, and McLennan Community College and Texas State |
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Technical College further reflect the importance of education to |
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the area; the city's economy is supported by the forward-thinking |
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efforts of the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, which works to |
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foster a range of industries, including aerospace, advanced |
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manufacturing, and health care; and |
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WHEREAS, Residents and visitors alike delight in such |
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attractions as the Cameron Park Zoo, Art Center Waco, and Homestead |
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Heritage Traditional Crafts Village; Waco is also home to three |
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uniquely Texan institutions, the Dr Pepper Museum, the Texas Ranger |
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Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame; Lake |
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Waco, the scenic riverwalk along the Brazos, and the 416-acre |
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Cameron Park offer further recreational opportunities; moreover, |
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the annual Heart O' Texas Fair and Rodeo in Waco has been a Central |
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Texas tradition for more than six decades and features livestock |
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shows, concerts, and carnival rides; and |
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WHEREAS, Boasting a rich history, thriving educational and |
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cultural institutions, and a dynamic business community, Waco has |
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established itself as an outstanding place to live and work, and its |
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citizens may indeed take pride in their city's ongoing |
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achievements; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize March 15, 2017, as Waco Day at the |
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State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere best |
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wishes for a meaningful and memorable stay in Austin. |