Bill Text: TX SR136 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognizing February 7, 2017, as Panola County Day.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2017-02-07 - Reported enrolled [SR136 Detail]
Download: Texas-2017-SR136-Enrolled.html
|
||
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to | ||
welcome the residents of Panola County and to recognize February | ||
7, 2017, as 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 area experienced a land rush in the 1830s | ||
as settlers arrived from the southern United States; on March 30, | ||
1846, the Texas Legislature officially created Panola County, | ||
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 cash product; today, Panola County enjoys a | ||
diversified economy, primarily based on oil and gas production, | ||
agriculture, food processing, and timber; the lush forests make | ||
the county a popular destination for hiking, birding, and camping | ||
enthusiasts, while anglers enjoy the good fishing waters of | ||
Martin Creek Lake and Murvaul Lake; and | ||
WHEREAS, Home to nearly 50 Texas Historical Commission | ||
markers, Panola 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 | ||
dedicated 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, as well as other country music legends from the state; | ||
the hall of fame also hosts the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame | ||
Show and John Ritter Tribute Showcase every August; and | ||
WHEREAS, Carthage, which was named a 2014 National Main | ||
Street City in Texas, is also home to the historic Esquire | ||
Theater, which plays host to the Country Music Hayride every | ||
Saturday night; other popular events taking place in the county | ||
seat include the Piney Woods Quilt Festival in April and the East | ||
Texas Oil and Gas Blast in October, which features live music, a | ||
car show, and arts and crafts; and | ||
WHEREAS, The citizens of Panola County have long made | ||
important contributions to the Lone Star State, and it is most | ||
fitting that they be honored on this special day; now, therefore, | ||
be it | ||
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th | ||
Legislature, hereby recognize the residents of Panola County on | ||
Panola County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting | ||
delegation sincere best wishes for a memorable and meaningful | ||
visit to Austin. | ||
Hughes | ||
________________________________ | ||
President of the Senate | ||
I hereby certify that the | ||
above Resolution was adopted by | ||
the Senate on February 7, 2017. | ||
________________________________ | ||
Secretary of the Senate | ||
________________________________ | ||
Member, Texas Senate |