Bill Text: TX HR592 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commemorating the 150th anniversary of the city of Wills Point.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-03-30 - Reported enrolled [HR592 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-HR592-Enrolled.html
| H.R. No. 592 | ||
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| WHEREAS, Proud residents of Wills Point are celebrating the | ||
| 150th anniversary of their city's founding in 2023; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Wills Point traces its origins back to 1847, when | ||
| its namesake William A. Wills and his family settled in what would | ||
| later become Van Zandt County; the family traded their carriage, a | ||
| rarity on the frontier, for a log cabin, in order to provide a way | ||
| station for travelers on the Dallas-Shreveport Road; the community | ||
| was laid out at the highest elevation point between Fort Worth and | ||
| New Orleans when the route of the new railroad was determined, and | ||
| the town was officially established in 1873, the same year that the | ||
| Texas and Pacific Railroad line was built through the region; the | ||
| community thrived as the railway drew a number of businesses to the | ||
| area; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The Wills Point post office was established in 1870, | ||
| and the town's first newspaper began publication several years | ||
| later; in 1886, a four-room school, the largest in the county, | ||
| opened its doors; in the succeeding years, the city faced many | ||
| challenges, including three devastating tornadoes, but its | ||
| citizens overcame those difficulties to build a stronger, more | ||
| resilient community; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Wills Point has continued to thrive over the | ||
| decades, and today it is a dynamic community of more than 3,700 | ||
| residents; retaining its early charm, the city boasts a picturesque | ||
| historic district that features brick streets, a railroad depot | ||
| museum, and the original Wills log cabin; residents and visitors | ||
| alike can enjoy the cultural and recreational opportunities | ||
| afforded by the Wills Point Visual and Performing Arts Centre and by | ||
| Lake Tawakoni State Park; the Wills Point Chamber of Commerce also | ||
| puts on a variety of annual events, including community Halloween | ||
| and Christmas celebrations; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Wills Point has acquired a number of nicknames over | ||
| the years, including the Queen City of the Prairie, Gateway to East | ||
| Texas, and Gateway to Lake Tawakoni, and in 1995, it was designated | ||
| as the Bluebird Capital of Texas by the Texas Legislature; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Celebrating their history as they work to build an | ||
| even brighter future, the people of Wills Point are justifiably | ||
| proud of their community, and it is indeed fitting to recognize them | ||
| on this milestone anniversary; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas | ||
| Legislature hereby commemorate the 150th anniversary of Wills Point | ||
| and extend to its citizens sincere best wishes for the future; and, | ||
| be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be | ||
| prepared for the city as an expression of high regard by the Texas | ||
| House of Representatives. | ||
| Slaton | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Speaker of the House | ||
| I certify that H.R. No. 592 was adopted by the House on March | ||
| 30, 2023, by a non-record vote. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
