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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Proud citizens and community leaders from Grand |
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Prairie are visiting the State Capitol on February 26 and 27, 2025, |
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and this occasion offers a welcome opportunity to honor this |
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vibrant North Texas city; and |
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WHEREAS, Located west of downtown Dallas in Dallas, Tarrant, |
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and Ellis Counties, Grand Prairie traces its roots back to 1863, |
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when A. M. Dechman's wagon broke down on his trip from Jacksonville, |
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Texas, to Fort Belknap with supplies for the army commissary; he |
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traded his broken wagon, ox team, and $200 for a 239-acre tract of |
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land; and |
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WHEREAS, The community became known as Deckman, or Dechman, |
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when a post office was constructed in 1874, and the arrival of the |
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Texas and Pacific Railway brought additional growth; the railroad |
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company had already started referring to the town as "Grand |
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Prairie," which officially became the city's name in 1877; Grand |
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Prairie was incorporated in 1902, and the area experienced a |
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significant boom during the Second World War, when a military |
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flight training center and an aircraft production factory were |
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established nearby, bringing the city's population from 1,595 to |
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approximately 18,000; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, Grand Prairie is home to more than 200,000 |
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residents, and as part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, it is in |
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one of the fastest-growing regions in the nation; the Grand Prairie |
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Chamber of Commerce has played an important role in enhancing the |
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city's economic vitality and quality of life and in promoting, |
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strengthening, and expanding its business community; and |
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WHEREAS, Residents and visitors alike benefit from the |
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community's many popular attractions, including the Lynn Creek Park |
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and Marina, the Grand Prairie Historical Museum, Asia Times Square, |
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and the Hong Kong Market; the city also hosts a number of annual |
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events, such as the Dragon Boat Festival, the Prairie Lights |
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Christmas display, and the Gathering at the Village; with 52 parks |
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and 6 lake areas, outdoor enthusiasts are drawn to the city for such |
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activities as hiking, water sports, and camping; and |
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WHEREAS, Acknowledging their rich history as they work to |
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build an even brighter future, the citizens of Grand Prairie are |
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justifiably proud of their community, and it is indeed fitting to |
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honor their contributions to the story of the Lone Star State; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 89th Texas Legislature |
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hereby recognize February 26 and 27, 2025, as Grand Prairie Days at |
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the State Capitol and extend a warm welcome to the visiting |
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delegation. |