81R9488 JH-D
By: Anderson H.R. No. 552
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Waco Day is taking place at the State Capitol on
February 24, 2009, and this occasion provides a welcome opportunity
to pay tribute to this notable Texas community; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1849, Waco played a central role in the
development of the Lone Star State in the 1800s, serving as a center
for cotton farming, as a stopping point for the cowboys on the
Chisholm Trail, and as a thriving transportation and marketing hub;
by the mid-1900s, it had grown into an important manufacturing
center, and in recent decades, it has seen diverse businesses such
as health care and aerospace make significant contributions to the
prosperity of its citizens; tourism, too, is important to Waco,
with favorite attractions such as the Texas Sports Hall of Fame and
Texas Rangers Hall of Fame and Museum drawing visitors to the city;
and
WHEREAS, Throughout its history, education has been a key
element in Waco's success; Baylor University has been part of the
city since 1887, and Texas State Technical College and McLennan
Community College have further boosted the town's reputation as a
place of learning, research, and innovation; and
WHEREAS, A fitting symbol of the city's forward-thinking
attitude is the new home of the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce,
which opened in June 2008; specifically designed to qualify for
gold-level certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, it
incorporates a range of innovative features to create an
environmentally sensitive landmark that is serving as a model for
additional sustainable construction projects; and
WHEREAS, Waco's advantageous business conditions are
spurring economic development in various ways; in 2008 alone,
numerous companies initiated new endeavors in the city or expanded
existing operations; moreover, the dynamic business community in
the greater Waco area has developed a strategic plan for future
economic advancement and is focusing on attracting a number of
target industries to the city; and
WHEREAS, Even as they look optimistically to the future, area
residents still take pleasure in the town's enduring attractions,
including its high quality of life and the scenic surroundings of
Lake Waco and other pleasant cityscapes; these features further
demonstrate the appeal of the Waco community, which is continuing
to make vital contributions to the Lone Star State, as it has for
160 years; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby recognize February 24, 2009, as Waco Day at the
State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation best wishes for
an enjoyable and productive visit to Austin.