SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 170

WHEREAS, Residents of Panola County are gathering in Austin on February 19, 2019, to celebrate Panola County Day at the State Capitol; and

WHEREAS, Located in northeastern Texas and forming part of the state's border with Louisiana, Panola County covers more than 800 square miles of forests and rolling plains and is traversed by the Sabine River; on March 30, 1846, the Texas Legislature officially created Panola County, and two years later, voters chose Carthage as the county seat; and

WHEREAS, It is believed that Judge John Allison, a prominent civic leader, suggested the name Panola, which may be derived from the Cherokee word for cotton, ponolo; the area's rich soil was well suited to the crop, and cotton became the county's main agricultural product; today, Panola County enjoys a diversified economy, primarily based in oil and gas production, agriculture, food processing, and timber; the lush forests also make the county a popular destination for hiking, birding, and camping enthusiasts, while anglers enjoy the good fishing waters of Martin Creek Lake and Murvaul Lake; and

WHEREAS, With nearly 50 Texas Historical Commission markers, Panola County has a rich and fascinating history; it was the birthplace of several notable Texans, including Margie Elizabeth Neal, the first woman elected to serve in the Texas Senate, and country music stars Tex Ritter and Jim Reeves; a museum dedicated to Mr. Ritter and a memorial devoted to Mr.ReevesarelocatedinCarthage,asistheTexasCountryMusic Hall of Fame, which honors the legacies of both of these men, along with other country music legends from the state; and

WHEREAS, Carthage, which was named a National Main Street City in Texas in 2011, is also home to Panola College and the historic Esquire Theater, which hosts the Country Music Hayride live music show every Saturday night; other popular events taking place in the county seat include the Piney Woods Quilt Festival in April and the Potlatch in October, which features a karaoke contest, a car show, and arts and crafts; in addition, the Footprints in the Sand monument, a poignant religious sculpture at Pippen Memorial Park, was completed in 2014; and

WHEREAS, The citizens of Panola County take great pride in their rich history as they work together to build an even brighter future, and it is indeed fitting to honor them and their unique contributions to the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th Legislature, hereby recognize February 19, 2019, as Panola County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere best wishes for an enjoyable and informative stay in Austin. Hughes

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 11, 2019.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate