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SENATE RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes great pride |
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in recognizing outstanding landmarks that reflect the rich |
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history, culture, and community spirit of our great state; and |
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WHEREAS, The Tomato Bowl in Jacksonville recently emerged |
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as the top high school stadium in Texas in a statewide contest |
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conducted by Dave Campbell's Texas Football magazine that |
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received more than 130,000 votes; and |
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WHEREAS, The Tomato Bowl holds a unique place in Texas |
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history; it was designed in the 1930s and constructed in the |
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early 1940s through the support of the Federal Works Progress |
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Administration and the vision of the Jacksonville Independent |
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School District; and |
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WHEREAS, Shaped by the determined labor of local workmen, |
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many of whom moved tons of soil by hand before the stadium's |
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completion, the Tomato Bowl was built on the site of the city's |
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former East Side School; it features rock walls and a fieldhouse |
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built from stones and red iron ore gathered from area farms, and |
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the hillside was reshaped for stadium seating overlooking the |
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field and town; and |
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WHEREAS, The Tomato Bowl, although unfinished at the time, |
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proudly hosted its first game on September 27, 1940, when |
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Jacksonville High School's football team took the field against |
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Dallas Technical High School before a crowd of nearly 1,900; the |
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stadium underwent a major renovation in 2019 that preserved its |
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historic integrity while ensuring its continued service to |
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future generations of students, athletes, and fans; and |
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WHEREAS, One of the few remaining downtown stadiums in |
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Texas, the Tomato Bowl continues to be a symbol of community |
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pride; bolstered by 85 years of tradition and school spirit, |
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student athletes proudly compete on the field amidst the sounds |
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of passing train horns and cheers from celebrating families and |
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loyal fans; and |
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WHEREAS, The statewide recognition from Dave Campbell's |
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Texas Football is a testament to the cherished history of this |
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area and to the unwavering support of the Jackonville community |
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who honor the legacy and spirit of this beloved venue; now, |
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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 Jacksonville Independent School |
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District on preserving the historic and architectural |
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significance of the Tomato Bowl and extend to all in the |
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Jacksonville community congratulations on the stadium's recent |
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statewide distinction and 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 school district as an expression of esteem from the Texas |
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Senate. |