H.R. No. 434

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, A delegation from Erath County, including representatives from the county, the City of Stephenville, Stephenville ISD, the City of Dublin, Dublin ISD and Tarleton State University, are gathering at the State Capitol on March 1, 2023, and this occasion provides a welcome opportunity to recognize the county's contributions to the Lone Star State; and

WHEREAS, Formed in 1856, Erath County is named for George B. Erath, an original surveyor of the area; cotton farming was an important early industry, and fruit orchards, dairy and poultry farms, and other agricultural ventures later became prominent; coal mining also provided jobs, and the Thurber Brick Company was established in 1918 to manufacture such materials as tile and paving bricks; and

WHEREAS, The seat of Erath County, Stephenville is situated along the Bosque River; it honors John M. Stephen, who settled there in 1854 and donated land for the townsite; Stephenville has received the Main Street designation from the Texas Historical Commission, and the 1892 Erath County Courthouse designed by James Riely Gordon is renowned for its beauty; serving as a hub for the area's agricultural operations, Stephenville is also the site of medical facilities and retail businesses, with a range of manufacturers, including Fortune 500 companies, adding economic diversity to the community; and

WHEREAS, The Stephenville Independent School District serves more than 3,600 students at three elementary schools, an intermediate school and junior high school, and Stephenville High School; the district has received an overall A rating from the Texas Education Agency and places a strong emphasis on the core values of initiative, integrity, and growth in preparing students for the challenges and opportunities of the future; and

WHEREAS, the city of Dublin is located is southwestern Erath County; Dublin is home to Dublin Bottling Works, a bottling company formerly responsible for the famed "Dublin Dr. Pepper"; Dublin is the home of many famous Texan faces including renowned golfer Ben Hogan and legendary cowboy Gene Autry; Dublin is known as the official Irish Capitol of Texas, a designation it received in 2005; and

WHEREAS, The Dublin Independent School System serves more than 1,000 students at Dublin Elementary School, Dublin Intermediate School, and Dublin High School; the district has received an overall A rating from the Texas Education Agency and boasts a near 95% four year graduation rate; and

WHEREAS, The county is home to two higher education facilities, Ranger College and Tarleton State University, which is a four-year institution that was established in 1899; a member of The Texas A&M University System, TSU boasts an enrollment of more than 14,000 students and offers nearly 100 undergraduate and graduate degree plans; made up of seven academic colleges, the university also offers a doctorate in education and expanded online programs; and

WHEREAS, Beloved for its rich Western heritage and rural friendliness, Erath County is one of the treasures of Texas, and its citizens may indeed take pride in the place they call home; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby recognize March 1, 2023, as Erath County Day at the State Capitol and commend the visitors from the county, the City of Stephenville, Stephenville ISD, and Tarleton State University for their community's contributions to the Lone Star State.

Slawson

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 434 was adopted by the House on March 1, 2023, by a non-record vote.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House