TITLE: Recognizing April 7, 2011, as Winkler County Day at the State Capitol.

SUMMARY: Recognizing April 7, 2011, as Winkler County Day at the State Capitol.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, On April 7, 2011, people from across Winkler County are traveling to the State Capitol to celebrate their county's heritage and to share with fellow Texans their history, traditions, and achievements; and WHEREAS, The Anasazi were the earliest known people in the Winkler County area; in the 1880s, cattlemen established large ranches on free state land and Winkler County was carved out of part of Tom Green County; its name honors Clinton M. Winkler, a member of the state legislature and justice of the Court of Civil Appeals; and WHEREAS, On April 5, 1910, the county was officially organized, and the town of Kermit, named after Theodore Roosevelt's son, was chosen as the county seat; the discovery of oil nearby in 1926 brought so many people that many residents lived in tents and makeshift shelters, and a new town, Winkler, also sprang up; when the postal authorities advised that another town in Texas had already claimed that name, it was swiftly shortened to Wink; and WHEREAS, During the early boom years, Wink acquired a reputation as a wild, freewheeling place; now, although its economy is still based on the petroleum industry and ranching, it is perhaps better known as the hometown of music legend Roy Orbison; his first band, the Wink Westerners, made its radio debut on Kermit station KERB, and the Roy Orbison Museum is today one of the town's most interesting attractions; Kermit gained celebrity luster more recently when the Disney company threw a 50th birthday party there for beloved Muppet Kermit the Frog; the town made national headlines as it celebrated in style, renaming a street in honor of the Sesame Street star and repainting the water tower with his likeness; and WHEREAS, Winkler County holds a notable place in frontier history, and through the years, its towns have demonstrated a unique West Texas flair; its residents can indeed take pride in this colorful past as they look forward to a bright future; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby recognize April 7, 2011, as Winkler County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere best wishes for an enjoyable and productive visit to Austin. Lewis Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1198 was adopted by the House on April 7, 2011, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House