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SENATE RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to |
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recognize the City of Palestine and to honor its residents for |
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their many important contributions to the Lone Star State; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1846, the first legislature of the State of |
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Texas established Anderson County on a 100-acre tract of land and |
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designated Palestine, named after a town in Illinois that had |
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been the previous home of early settlers, as the county seat; and |
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WHEREAS, Palestine benefited from the shipment of |
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agricultural goods down the Trinity River in its early history, |
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and the International and Great Northern Pacific Railroad, which |
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eventually merged with the Union Pacific Railroad, has allowed |
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the town to continue to thrive as a transportation and shipping |
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hub; and |
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WHEREAS, Committed to investing in the economic |
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development and progress of their region, in 1875, Anderson |
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County citizens awarded the International-Great Northern Pacific |
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Railroad a $150,000 bonus for selecting Palestine as the site for |
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its headquarters, a decision that led the town's population to |
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double within five years; and |
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WHEREAS, Palestine has continued to attract successful |
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companies and manufacturers that offer employment to the town's |
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workforce; the city is home to two of Walmart's distribution |
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centers, several wholesale beverage and aerospace parts |
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distributors, and a growing medical industry; Trinity Valley |
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Community College at Palestine and The University of Texas at |
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Tyler Palestine Campus are also located in Palestine; and |
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WHEREAS, As a designated Texas Main Street City, Palestine |
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is noted for its magnificent historic architecture, including |
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many Victorian-era buildings; visitors enjoy touring Palestine's |
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many popular landmarks and historic sites, including Davey |
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Dogwood Park, a 254-acre park with eight miles of unincorporated |
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hiking and biking trails and scenic views, and the Texas State |
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Railroad, the oldest heritage railway in the state, which offers |
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the opportunity to experience its steam and diesel train |
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excursions; and |
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WHEREAS, Palestine has practiced careful stewardship of |
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its rich past and natural beauty while adapting to the changing |
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demands of modern commerce, and its residents take justifiable |
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pride in the dynamic and beautiful place that they call home; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th |
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Legislature, hereby commend the City of Palestine on its many |
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contributions to our state's prosperity and extend to its |
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citizens sincere best wishes for their town's future; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
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the city as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. |