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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Proud residents of Hawkins are celebrating the 150th |
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anniversary of their community in 2023; and |
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WHEREAS, Located in Wood County, Hawkins traces its roots to |
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1873, when the town's first post office was established and the |
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Texas and Pacific Railway built lines through the area; by 1884, the |
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town was shipping a variety of products, including lumber, |
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shingles, livestock, and cotton, and it boasted five general |
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stores, five steam gristmills and cotton gins, three churches, two |
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hotels, and a district school; within the next few decades, Hawkins |
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saw the addition of a newspaper, the Hawkins Banner, numerous |
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businesses, and telephone service; in January 1913, the first |
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classes were held at Jarvis Christian Institute, located just east |
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of town, and the school later evolved into Jarvis Christian |
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University; and |
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WHEREAS, In October 1940, the discovery of oil three and a |
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half miles from Hawkins transformed the area into a boomtown, with |
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the population expanding sixfold within a year; the Humble Oil and |
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Refining Company, which later became ExxonMobil, soon began |
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operating locally and continued to produce oil from the Hawkins |
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Field for decades; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, Hawkins is home to more than 1,200 people; |
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residents and visitors alike enjoy the picturesque scenery of the |
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northeastern Texas countryside, as well as a number of natural |
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attractions, including Lake Hawkins and the Little Sandy National |
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Wildlife Refuge; since 1995, the town has been designated as the |
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Pancake Capital of Texas, and the Hawkins Pancake Festival is held |
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each year in April; another beloved annual event, the Hawkins Oil |
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Festival, takes place in October; and |
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WHEREAS, Celebrating their rich history as they work to build |
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an even brighter future, the people of Hawkins are justifiably |
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proud of their community, and it is indeed fitting to honor their |
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contributions to the story of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, |
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be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby commemorate the 150th anniversary of the city of Hawkins and |
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extend to its citizens sincere best wishes for the future; and, be |
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it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the city as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives and Senate. |