H.R. No. 566
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Shelby County Day is being celebrated at the State
Capitol on February 26, 2009, and this occasion provides a fine
opportunity to pay tribute to this unique region of the Lone Star
State; and
WHEREAS, Located alongside the Toledo Bend Reservoir on the
Sabine River, the territory that now makes up Shelby County has
drawn people for thousands of years; the Caddo were the chief
inhabitants of the region by the time Spanish and French explorers
arrived, and the first non-Native American settlers established
farms in the late 1810s; and
WHEREAS, The area was organized as Tenehaw Municipality in
1835, when Texas was still a part of Mexico, but it was renamed as
Shelby County when it became one of the original counties of the
Republic of Texas in 1836; its name was a tribute to Isaac Shelby, a
hero of the American Revolution; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the county's history, agriculture and
livestock have been mainstays of the local economy; the ample
forests of the area are another major asset, supporting jobs in
lumber processing and wood-product manufacturing and also drawing
tourists; the Sabine National Forest is a favorite destination for
outdoor recreation, as is Toledo Bend Reservoir, a quality spot for
boating and fishing; and
WHEREAS, Center, the largest town, has been the county seat
since 1866; it is home to the Shelby County Museum and the former
Shelby County Courthouse, a castle-like structure constructed in
1885 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places; and
WHEREAS, Residents and visitors alike enjoy a variety of
special events that dot the county's annual calendar, including the
Center Fly-In, which is held in May, the Shelby County Sheriff's
Posse PRCA Rodeo in June, the What-A-Melon Festival in July, and the
East Texas Poultry Festival in October; thanks to its year-round
charm and diverse amenities, Shelby County is now also a certified
retirement community; and
WHEREAS, From the time of its establishment 173 years ago,
Shelby County has contributed to the rich and meaningful saga of the
Lone Star State, and its citizens can be proud to claim allegiance
to this scenic part of East Texas; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby recognize February 26, 2009, as Shelby County
Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation best
wishes for the future.
Christian
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 566 was adopted by the House on
February 26, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House