SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 147
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 Senate of the State of Texas, 81st
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;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
the citizens of Grayson County as an expression of esteem from
the Texas Senate.
Estes
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 10, 2009.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate