SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 224
         WHEREAS, Residents of Panola County are gathering in
  Austin on March 11, 2025, to celebrate Panola County Day at the
  State Capitol; and
         WHEREAS, Located in northeastern Texas and forming part of
  the state's border with Louisiana, Panola County covers more than
  800 square miles of forests and rolling plains and is traversed
  by the Sabine River; the Texas Legislature officially created
  Panola County on March 30, 1846, and two years later, voters
  chose Carthage as the county seat; and
         WHEREAS, It is believed that Judge John Allison, a
  prominent civic leader, suggested the name Panola, which may be
  derived from the Cherokee word for cotton, ponolo; the area's
  rich soil was well suited to the crop, and cotton became the
  county's main agricultural product; today, the lush forests also
  make the county a popular destination for hiking, birding, and
  camping enthusiasts, while anglers enjoy the good fishing waters
  of Martin Creek Lake and Lake Murvaul; and
         WHEREAS, Panola County's rich heritage is recognized by
  nearly 60 Texas Historical Commission markers; the county was the
  birthplace of several notable Texans, including Margie Elizabeth
  Neal, the first woman elected to serve in the Texas Senate, and
  country music stars Tex Ritter and Jim Reeves; a museum dedicated
  to Mr. Ritter and a memorial devoted to Mr. Reeves are located in
  Carthage, as is the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, which
  honors the legacies of both of these men, along with other
  country music legends from the state; and
         WHEREAS, Named a National Main Street City in Texas,
  Carthage is also home to Panola College and the historic Esquire
  Theater, which hosts the Country Music Hayride live show; other
  popular events taking place in the county seat include the Piney
  Woods Quilt Festival in April, the annual Classic Country Music
  Festival Weekend in August, and Potlatch, an art, food, and music
  festival that takes place in the fall; and
         WHEREAS, The citizens of Panola County take great pride in
  their rich history as they work together to build an even
  brighter future, and it is indeed fitting to honor them for
  their unique contributions to the Lone Star State; now,
  therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th
  Legislature, hereby recognize March 11, 2025, as Panola County
  Day at the State Capitol and extend a warm welcome to the
  visiting delegation.
 
  Hughes
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on March 11, 2025.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate