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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 83
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WHEREAS, Proud residents of Palo Pinto County are |
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gathering in Austin on January 31, 2017, to celebrate the first |
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Palo Pinto County Day at the State Capitol; and |
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WHEREAS, Named for one of its principal streams and |
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situated in the Western Cross Timbers Ecoregion, Palo Pinto |
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County covers 948 square miles of rugged, hilly land drained by |
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the Brazos River; the Texas Legislature formed the county in |
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1856, and Golconda, the county seat, was renamed Palo Pinto two |
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years later; and |
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WHEREAS, Early settlers of Palo Pinto County included |
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Charles Goodnight and Oliver Loving, of the famed |
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Goodnight-Loving Trail, who established cattle ranches in the |
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area; in the late 1800s, the county's economy centered on |
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livestock, and a meeting of area ranchers in 1876 led to the |
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creation of what is now known as the Texas and Southwestern |
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Cattle Raisers Association; over the years, oil and natural gas |
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production helped to diversify the local economy, and the county |
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has also developed a robust tourist industry with such |
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attractions as Lake Palo Pinto, Possum Kingdom Lake, and Lake |
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Mineral Wells State Park; and |
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WHEREAS, The community of Palo Pinto is home to the Old |
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Jail, built in 1880, which now serves as a museum complex and |
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hosts a variety of events, including the annual Frontier Days and |
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Old Settlers Reunion; and |
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WHEREAS, The largest city in Palo Pinto County is Mineral |
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Wells, which was first settled in 1877 by James and Amanda Lynch; |
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afterdiggingawell,thecouplefoundthattheunusual-tasting |
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water seemed beneficial to their health, and in 1885, the Crazy |
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Well was dug and the town gained popularity as a center for |
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wellness and recreation; today, the city remains a notable |
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attraction for retirees and tourists alike, and citizens pay |
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tribute to their heritage with the annual Crazy Water Festival; |
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Mineral Wells is also the site of the Baker Hotel, which was |
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frequented in its heyday by notable Hollywood stars, including |
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Ronald Reagan, Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, Judy Garland, Will |
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Rogers, and the Three Stooges; and |
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WHEREAS, The people of Palo Pinto County take great pride |
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in their rich history as they work together to build an even |
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brighter future, and it is indeed a privilege to honor them and |
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their unique region of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th |
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Legislature, hereby recognize January 31, 2017, as Palo Pinto |
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County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting |
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delegation sincere best wishes for an informative and enjoyable |
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stay in Austin. |
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Estes |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on January 31, 2017. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |