H.R. No. 768
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, On March 11, 2009, many proud residents of the city
of Corsicana and Navarro County are gathering in Austin to
celebrate Corsicana/Navarro County Day at the State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, Officially organized in 1846, the county is named
for Jose Antonio Navarro, a signer of the Texas Declaration of
Independence and a prominent leader during the days of the Texas
Republic and early statehood; and
WHEREAS, The arrival of the Houston and Texas Central
Railroad in the early 1870s helped to spur the development of this
region; the county's multifaceted economy now revolves around
agriculture, advanced manufacturing, information technology, and
the oil and gas industries; and
WHEREAS, Corsicana was established in 1848 to serve as the
Navarro County seat and became a prosperous commercial center in
the late 1880s; in 1894, drillers seeking more water for the town's
growing population struck oil and gas instead and their find, the
earliest major oil discovery west of the Mississippi, led to the
state's first oil boom; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, this initial strike was followed by
the discovery of several additional oil fields; since 1895, Navarro
County has produced more than 200 million barrels and today has the
longest continual flow of oil in Texas; moreover, Corsicana holds
the distinction of being the first city in Texas to use gas for fuel
and lighting; and
WHEREAS, Corsicana is world-famous for its DeLuxe Fruitcake,
a creation of the 113-year-old Collin Street Bakery; shipped
throughout the United States and to more than 200 foreign countries
each year, this confection holds the prestigious Gourmet Society
Culinary Merit Award; and
WHEREAS, A charming community and the largest town in the
county, Corsicana features many attractions, including the Lefty
Frizzell Country Music Museum, the Warehouse Living Arts Center,
the award-winning restored Palace Theater, and Pioneer Village, a
historical recreation of a 19th century town; in addition, Navarro
College is home to one of the finest Native American art collections
in the Southwest at the Gaston C. Gooch Library, the Cook Center for
Arts, Science, and Technology, and the extensive Pearce Collection
Museum of Civil War and Western Art; and
WHEREAS, Visitors and locals alike can keep up with news and
events in Corsicana and the region by reading the Corsicana Daily
Sun, whose presses have been rolling now for more than a century;
and
WHEREAS, This geographically diverse area is a haven for
outdoor and water enthusiasts, who find ample opportunity for
boating, fishing, skiing, and numerous other activities at
Richland-Chambers Reservoir, Navarro Mills Lake, and Lake Halbert;
and
WHEREAS, The citizens of Corsicana and Navarro County are
continuing to build on their colorful history and rich heritage,
and it is most appropriate to honor them as they embrace the myriad
challenges and opportunities of the future; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby recognize March 11, 2009, as Corsicana/Navarro
County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the citizens visiting
today best wishes for an informative trip to the seat of Texas
government.
Cook
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 768 was adopted by the House on March
11, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House