81R7033 JH-D
By: Phillips H.R. No. 291
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Residents of Grayson County are gathering in Austin
on February 10, 2009, to celebrate Grayson County Day at the State
Capitol; and
WHEREAS, In partnership with Collin and Denton Counties,
Grayson County is participating in the first Tri-County Event at
the State Capitol, which is being held to demonstrate regional
cooperation in the North Texas area; and
WHEREAS, Grayson County is named for Peter W. Grayson,
attorney general of the Republic of Texas; it was formed on March
17, 1846, by the 1st Texas Legislature, which also specified that
the county seat be named for Sidney Sherman, a leader at the Battle
of San Jacinto; as a result, the town of Sherman holds the
distinction of being one of the few Texas communities named by an
act of the legislature; and
WHEREAS, In 1872, the Houston and Texas Central Railroad
built a rail line to Sherman, and the Missouri-Kansas-Texas
Railroad reached Denison; these developments brought about a period
of rapid growth and a dramatic expansion in the county's
population; new settlements emerged, and today towns in the county
include Whitesboro, Pottsboro, Bells, Whitewright, Tom Bean, Van
Alstyne, Howe, Gunter, Dorchester, Tioga, Collinsville,
Gordonville, Sadler, and Southmayd; the economic development that
took place in the late 1800s transformed the county into a milling
and market center for surrounding areas, and in 1891, the world's
largest cottonseed oil mill was established in Sherman; and
WHEREAS, In more recent times, the local economy has
diversified to include a wide range of industries and other
businesses; the county is home to such commercial giants as Tyson,
Ruiz Foods, Sunny Delight Beverage Company, MEMC, Emerson Process
Management, Folgers Coffee Company, Terex, Cigna, Trailblazer
Healthcare Services, Black and Decker Kwikset, Texas Instruments,
and Progress Rail Services, a division of Caterpillar; agribusiness
also continues to thrive, with wheat, corn, and hay as major crops;
and
WHEREAS, Sherman, once called the Athens of Texas, is home to
Austin College, and the county also offers other first-rate
educational facilities and resources through its public school
system and Grayson County College; and
WHEREAS, Outdoor sports enthusiasts come to Grayson County to
participate in the many activities offered around Lake Texoma, one
of the world's largest reservoirs; in Denison, the birthplace of
Dwight D. Eisenhower, visitors and residents alike enjoy the
Eisenhower Birthplace State Historical Site as well as Eisenhower
State Park; and
WHEREAS, Rich in heritage and bountiful in resources, Grayson
County is a major contributor to the greatness of this state and a
source of tremendous pride for its residents; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby recognize February 10, 2009, as Grayson County
Day at the State Capitol and extend best wishes to the members of
the visiting delegation on this noteworthy occasion.