TITLE: Recognizing March 12, 2015, as Balch Springs Day at the State Capitol.

SUMMARY: Recognizing March 12, 2015, as Balch Springs Day at the State Capitol.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Community leaders from Balch Springs are gathering at the State Capitol on March 12, 2015, to take part in Balch Springs Day; and WHEREAS, The town traces its history to the 1870s, when John Balch, who had fought for the independence of Texas at the Battle of San Jacinto and other engagements, settled in the area with his family; his land contained a permanent spring that became a gathering place for nearby residents, and the settlement that took shape over the following decades was named for him and this important water source; and WHEREAS, Located in Dallas County, Balch Springs is a home-rule city that was incorporated in 1953, when approximately 3,000 people lived there; the population rose in the decades that followed, with an increasing number of manufacturing companies and other businesses opening their doors; and WHEREAS, Today, this bustling city is home to more than 25,000 people and serves as a southeastern gateway to the Metroplex; it offers convenient access to the surrounding area as well as to major interstate and international transportation routes, and its location, combined with its forward-looking civic leadership and productive workforce, has attracted numerous companies, including a number of firms in the telecommunications industry; and WHEREAS, Quality of life is another factor in the city's growth, and numerous residents have been drawn by its thriving community atmosphere, highly regarded schools, and myriad options for housing, entertainment, culture, and recreation, which include a library, the Double DDude Ranch, and the Chiesl Baseball Complex; and WHEREAS, Balch Springs offers an inviting mixture of small-town charm and big-city convenience, and its many contributions to the Lone Star State deserve to be celebrated; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby recognize March 12, 2015, as Balch Springs Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere best wishes for an informative and enjoyable time in Austin. Burkett Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 636 was adopted by the House on March 5, 2015, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House