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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Members of the Jacksonville Leadership Institute |
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and the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce are gathering in Austin on |
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February 11, 2025, to celebrate Jacksonville Leadership Day at the |
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State Capitol; and |
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WHEREAS, The largest city in Cherokee County, Jacksonville |
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was founded in 1847 along the banks of Gum Creek, and it was moved to |
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its present location in 1872 to be closer to the railroad; and |
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WHEREAS, The early economy centered around agriculture, and |
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Jacksonville was a leading center of peach production before |
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tomatoes became the primary crop; today, the city's labor force is |
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employed in a diverse mix of industries and businesses, including |
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plastic manufacturing, major clothing shipping outlets, and |
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medical facilities; and |
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WHEREAS, Education is an important part of the Jacksonville |
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community, and the Baptist Missionary Association Theological |
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Seminary is located there, as is Jacksonville College, one of the |
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last remaining private junior colleges in the state; additionally, |
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all eight campuses of the Jacksonville Independent School District |
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have been recipients of the highest rating from the Texas Education |
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Agency; and |
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WHEREAS, Home to numerous attractions, Jacksonville has been |
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called the Tomato Capital of the World, and it continues to |
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celebrate that heritage with the annual Tomato Festival; moreover, |
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it has been recognized for creating the world's largest bowl of |
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salsa; the city is also the site of the Tomato Bowl football and |
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soccer stadium, which has been in operation since 1940 and is one of |
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the last remaining downtown stadiums in Texas, as well as Love's |
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Lookout, a park featuring scenic views of the eastern horizon; and |
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WHEREAS, Residents and visitors alike enjoy a number of |
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special events, including the Jacksonville Tomato Fest, the Tops in |
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Texas Rodeo, and competitions at River Run ATV Park; furthermore, |
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Lake Jacksonville provides a setting for camping, boating, fishing, |
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and other outdoor activities; and |
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WHEREAS, The citizens of Jacksonville are working to preserve |
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their rich history even as they look ahead to the opportunities of |
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the future, and they may take justifiable pride in their unique |
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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 House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize February 11, 2025, as Jacksonville |
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Leadership Day at the State Capitol and extend a warm welcome to the |
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visiting delegation. |