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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Proud residents of Van Zandt County are gathering on |
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May 14, 2013, to celebrate the 165th anniversary of the county's |
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founding; and |
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WHEREAS, Situated on the Post Oak Savannah and Blackland |
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Prairie of northeast Texas, Van Zandt County was originally home to |
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the Caddo and Cherokee Indians; Anglo Americans began to settle in |
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the area in the 1840s, clearing farmland and raising cattle along |
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the Sabine River; and |
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WHEREAS, Van Zandt County was created by the Texas |
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Legislature in 1848 from part of Henderson County, and it was named |
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for Isaac Van Zandt, a pioneer and an early leader of the Texas |
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Republic; Canton was established as the county seat in 1850; and |
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WHEREAS, Early residents mostly hailed from southern states |
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such as Tennessee and Alabama, along with a small colony of |
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Norwegian immigrants who settled at Four Mile Prairie; the |
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anti-slavery stance of the Norwegians led to the practice of |
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calling the county the "Free State of Van Zandt," even though the |
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majority of the county's residents voted to join the Confederacy in |
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1861; and |
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WHEREAS, After the Civil War, the county's agricultural |
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economy grew with the arrival of the Texas and Pacific Railway in |
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1873; cotton began to be grown commercially after the turn of the |
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century, and oil was discovered near the town of Van in 1929; |
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throughout its history, the county has been known as a leading |
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producer of salt, from the extensive mines at Grand Saline; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, the economy of Van Zandt County continues to |
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be based on agriculture, and the county's citizens enjoy a relaxed |
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lifestyle while benefiting from the amenities and job opportunities |
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in the nearby Dallas Metroplex; residents and visitors alike |
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delight in Canton's First Monday Trade Days flea market every |
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month, the annual Grand Saline Salt Festival, and the fishing and |
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boating on Lake Tawakoni; and |
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WHEREAS, The people of Van Zandt County remain proud of their |
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rich history even as they work to build a bright future, and this |
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special anniversary represents a fine opportunity to celebrate the |
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heritage and promise of this unique region of the Lone Star State; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the 165th anniversary of Van Zandt |
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County and extend to the county's residents sincere best wishes for |
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a memorable and enjoyable celebration; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Van Zandt County as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |
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Flynn |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 1519 was adopted by the House on April |
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24, 2013, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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