TITLE: Recognizing March 31, 2015, as Hopkins County Day at the State Capitol.

SUMMARY: Recognizing March 31, 2015, as Hopkins County Day at the State Capitol.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Proud residents of Hopkins County are gathering in Austin on March 31, 2015, to celebrate Hopkins County Day at the State Capitol; and WHEREAS, Hopkins County has an area of 789 square miles with both blackland prairie and piney wood terrain; originally inhabited by the Caddo and then the Cherokee people, the county was created in 1846 and named for a family of pioneers; Sulphur Springs was made the county seat in 1870; and WHEREAS, Corn, wheat, sheep, and cattle were important in the 19th century, but cotton became the dominant crop between 1890 and 1930; in 1937 the Carnation Milk Company opened a processing plant in the county, and its presence, in conjunction with better road and rail transportation, allowed dairy farming to become the major agricultural undertaking; in 1990 the county boasted nearly 500 dairies supplying 17 percent of the state's total milk; and WHEREAS, Today, Hopkins County has a population of over 35,500, with nearly 16,000 people residing in Sulphur Springs; along with dairy production, tourism and food processing and distribution are mainstays of the economy, as are beef cattle and breeding horses; and WHEREAS, Sulphur Springs features a number of popular attractions, including the Southwest Dairy Center and Museum, the Leo St. Clair Music Box Museum, and the Hopkins County Heritage Museum and Park; the city's striking all-glass restroom downtown has drawn national attention and was the first of its kind in the United States; moreover, the area is a well-known center for aquatic recreation, with Lake Fork and Cooper Lake State Park offering opportunities for trophy bass fishing, as well as boating and swimming; bird-watchers, hikers, and campers also seek out the county, and special events like the Texas State Champion Homemade Ice Cream Freeze Off at the Hopkins County Dairy Festival in June are enjoyed by residents and visitors alike; and WHEREAS, Hopkins County is one of the Lone Star State's true treasures, and its citizens justifiably take great pride in the history and character of their splendid communities; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby recognize March 31, 2015, as Hopkins County Day at the State Capitol and extend sincere best wishes to the visiting delegation for an informative and enjoyable stay in Austin. Flynn Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 826 was adopted by the House on March 12, 2015, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House