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        |  | R E S O L U T I O N | 
      
        |  | WHEREAS, Proud residents of Rockwall County are gathering in | 
      
        |  | Austin on February 23, 2015, to celebrate Rockwall County Day at the | 
      
        |  | State Capitol; and | 
      
        |  | WHEREAS, Situated on the gently rolling Blackland Prairie of | 
      
        |  | North Texas, the region was inhabited by members of the Caddo and | 
      
        |  | Cherokee tribes before the first European resident, John O. Heath, | 
      
        |  | settled on the East Fork of the Trinity River in 1846; Rockwall | 
      
        |  | County was established in 1873, taking its name from an underground | 
      
        |  | rock formation; and | 
      
        |  | WHEREAS, The smallest county in Texas, yet among the fastest | 
      
        |  | growing, Rockwall County today boasts a population of more than | 
      
        |  | 85,000 people who are committed to economic development while | 
      
        |  | maintaining their bustling downtowns and small-community | 
      
        |  | atmosphere; and | 
      
        |  | WHEREAS, The city of Rockwall was named by early explorer | 
      
        |  | T. U. Wade, who discovered a large rock wall when digging a well in | 
      
        |  | the mid-1800s; dedicated to preserving their community's rich | 
      
        |  | heritage and family-friendly environment, residents and civic | 
      
        |  | leaders are working hard to keep a small-town feel to a vibrant city | 
      
        |  | even as its population continues to grow; and | 
      
        |  | WHEREAS, The city of Heath boasts a premier residential | 
      
        |  | community located along the picturesque shores of Lake Ray Hubbard, | 
      
        |  | and its residents enjoy high property values, low tax rates, and | 
      
        |  | exemplary schools; and | 
      
        |  | WHEREAS, Looking to the future with a strong chamber of | 
      
        |  | commerce that supports local businesses, Royse City, too, is making | 
      
        |  | it a priority to preserve its roots; with a lively downtown and | 
      
        |  | superior schools, it has truly become an ideal spot to call home; | 
      
        |  | and | 
      
        |  | WHEREAS, In an area known for its rich blackland soil, the | 
      
        |  | town of McLendon-Chisholm dates back to the mid-1800s and is | 
      
        |  | partially named for P. A. McLendon, an area landowner, who | 
      
        |  | encouraged growth when he built a store and a blacksmith shop before | 
      
        |  | the community merged with another to become the inviting town it is | 
      
        |  | today; and | 
      
        |  | WHEREAS, Mobile City is the county's newest incorporated town | 
      
        |  | and its smallest, with 188 residents; additionally, its land area | 
      
        |  | of just 0.02 square miles distinguishes it as having the highest | 
      
        |  | population density of any municipality in Texas; and | 
      
        |  | WHEREAS, Rockwall County is an exceptional place to live, | 
      
        |  | work, and raise a family, and this occasion provides a fitting | 
      
        |  | opportunity to honor its citizens for their contributions to the | 
      
        |  | history and prosperity of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it | 
      
        |  | RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas | 
      
        |  | Legislature hereby recognize February 23, 2015, as Rockwall County | 
      
        |  | Day at the State Capitol and extend to all the residents here today | 
      
        |  | best wishes for an informative and enjoyable visit. |