TITLE: Recognizing February 26-28, 2017, as Rockwall County Days at the State Capitol.

SUMMARY: Recognizing February 26-28, 2017, as Rockwall County Days at the State Capitol.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Proud residents of Rockwall County are gathering in Austin February 26-28, 2017, to celebrate Rockwall County Days 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 approximately 90,000 people who are committed to economic development while maintaining their bustling downtowns and small-community atmosphere; and WHEREAS, The county seat, 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 nearly 200 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 its citizens may take justifiable pride in their community's unique contributions to the story of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature hereby recognize February 26-28, 2017, as Rockwall County Days at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere best wishes for a meaningful and memorable stay in Austin. Holland Straus Goldman Oliverson Allen Gonzales of Williamson Ortega Alonzo Gonz lez of El Paso Paddie Alvarado Gooden Parker Anchia Guerra Paul Anderson of Dallas Guillen Perez Anderson of McLennan Gutierrez Phelan Ar valo Hefner Phillips Ashby Hernandez Pickett Bailes Herrero Price Bell Hinojosa Raney Bernal Holland Raymond Biedermann Howard Reynolds Blanco Huberty Rinaldi Bohac Hunter Roberts Bonnen of Brazoria Isaac Rodriguez of Bexar Bonnen of Galveston Israel Rodriguez of Travis Burkett Johnson of Dallas Romero, Jr. Burns Johnson of Harris Rose Burrows Kacal Sanford Button Keough Schaefer Cain King of Hemphill Schofield Canales King of Parker Schubert Capriglione King of Uvalde Shaheen Clardy Klick Sheffield Coleman Koop Shine Collier Krause Simmons Cook Kuempel Smithee Cortez Lambert Springer Cosper Landgraf Stephenson Craddick Lang Stickland Cyrier Larson Stucky Dale Laubenberg Swanson Darby Leach Thierry Davis of Dallas Longoria Thompson of Brazoria Davis of Harris Lozano Thompson of Harris Dean Lucio III Tinderholt Deshotel Martinez Turner Dukes Metcalf Uresti Dutton Meyer VanDeaver Elkins Miller Villalba Faircloth Minjarez Vo Fallon Moody Walle Farrar Morrison White Flynn Mu oz, Jr. Wilson Frank Murphy Workman Frullo Murr Wray Geren Neave Wu Gervin-Hawkins Nev rez Zedler Giddings Oliveira Zerwas Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 426 was adopted by the House on February 27, 2017, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House