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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 in Anderson County and to honor |
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its residents for their many important contributions to the Lone |
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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 as the county seat, which was named after a |
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town in Illinois that had been the previous home of early |
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settlers; and |
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WHEREAS, The town benefited from the shipment of |
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agricultural goods on the Trinity River in its early history, and |
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in 1875, the county awarded a $150,000 bonus to the |
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International-Great Northern Railroad for selecting Palestine as |
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its headquarters, a decision that led the town's population to |
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double to more than 4,000 within five years; and |
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WHEREAS, Palestine has continued to thrive as a |
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transportation and shipping hub and has attracted several major |
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manufacturers due to its favorable location near major highways |
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as well as the Union Pacific Railroad; two of Walmart's |
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distribution centers, a number of wholesale beverage and |
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aerospace parts distributors, and a growing medical industry |
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contribute to the city's thriving economy; Trinity Valley |
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Community College-Palestine and The University of Texas at Tyler |
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Palestine Campus further sustain Palestine's well-educated |
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workforce; and |
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WHEREAS, As a designated Texas Main Street City, Palestine |
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draws visitors with its many magnificent Victorian-style homes, |
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popular landmarks, and historic sites designed by such noted |
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architects as Nicholas Clayton and Wesley Clark Dodson; the Texas |
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State Railroad, the oldest heritage railway in the state, offers |
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both steam and diesel train excursions, and travelers enjoy the |
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unique beauty of the dogwood trees at Davey Dogwood Park, a |
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254-acre park with eight miles of unincorporated hiking and |
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biking trails featuring scenic views; 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 may take |
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justifiable pride in the dynamic and beautiful place that they |
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call home; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th |
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Legislature, hereby commend the City of Palestine on its many |
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contributions to the prosperity of the Lone Star State and extend |
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to its citizens sincere best wishes for the 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. |