|  | 
      
        |  | 
      
        |  | R E S O L U T I O N | 
      
        |  | WHEREAS, Proud residents of Palestine and Anderson County are | 
      
        |  | gathering in Austin on February 26, 2015, to celebrate City of | 
      
        |  | Palestine and Anderson County Day at the State Capitol; and | 
      
        |  | WHEREAS, Situated between the Trinity and Neches Rivers, | 
      
        |  | Anderson County covers nearly 1,100 square miles of rich pastures | 
      
        |  | and woodlands and is home to a diverse economy that includes | 
      
        |  | business and service industries, as well as oil and gas production; | 
      
        |  | the county was formed by the First Legislature of Texas in 1846 and | 
      
        |  | named after Kenneth Lewis Anderson, the last vice president of the | 
      
        |  | Republic of Texas; and | 
      
        |  | WHEREAS, The area attracts hunters, campers, bird-watchers, | 
      
        |  | and other outdoor enthusiasts with the abundant scenic delights of | 
      
        |  | the Gus Engeling Wildlife Management Area; and | 
      
        |  | WHEREAS, Palestine, the centrally located county seat, | 
      
        |  | serves as a major transportation hub to connect the region to the | 
      
        |  | rest of the state and beyond; when the International-Great Northern | 
      
        |  | Railroad arrived there in 1872, the largely agrarian community | 
      
        |  | expanded, and a second business district grew up along the rail | 
      
        |  | line; the discovery of oil at nearby Boggy Creek in 1928 prompted | 
      
        |  | further growth; and | 
      
        |  | WHEREAS, A designated Texas Main Street City, Palestine is | 
      
        |  | home to more than 1,800 historic sites, including such structures | 
      
        |  | as the Anderson County Courthouse, the Carnegie Library, the Museum | 
      
        |  | for East Texas Culture, and the Howard House Museum; Davey Dogwood | 
      
        |  | Park hosts the annual Dogwood Trails Celebration in March, and | 
      
        |  | tourists also may enjoy the NASA Columbia Scientific Balloon | 
      
        |  | Facility and the 1881 Texas State Railroad, which runs steam train | 
      
        |  | excursions from Palestine through the Piney Woods of East Texas; | 
      
        |  | and | 
      
        |  | WHEREAS, Preserving their vibrant past as they work together | 
      
        |  | to build a bright future, the citizens of Palestine and Anderson | 
      
        |  | County may take justifiable pride in the important role their | 
      
        |  | unique region continues to play in the story of the Lone Star State; | 
      
        |  | now, therefore, be it | 
      
        |  | RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas | 
      
        |  | Legislature hereby recognize February 26, 2015, as City of | 
      
        |  | Palestine and Anderson County Day at the State Capitol and extend to | 
      
        |  | the visiting delegation sincere best wishes for an informative and | 
      
        |  | enjoyable stay in Austin. |