SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 603
WHEREAS, Residents of Rusk County are gathering in Austin
on April 21, 2009, to celebrate Rusk County Day at the State
Capitol; and
WHEREAS, Four Spanish expeditions traveled through this
scenic region between 1691 and 1788, and Anglo settlers began to
arrive in large numbers after the Texas Revolution; in 1843, Rusk
County was formed, named for Thomas Jefferson Rusk, who had been
secretary of war in the Republic of Texas, and the new county seat
was named after James Pinckney Henderson, who soon became the
first governor of the State of Texas; and
WHEREAS, For over 90 years, Rusk County's economy depended
mainly on the growing of cotton, but in 1930, Columbus M. "Dad"
Joiner struck oil with the Daisy Bradford No. 1 well, initiating
one of the richest oil booms in American history; in three years,
the amount of oil pumped out of Rusk County grew from 27,000
barrels in 1931 to over 200 million barrels in 1933, and
wildcatters and speculators poured into the county, turning
Henderson into a lively boomtown; and
WHEREAS, Today, oil and agriculture continue to be
important to the region's prosperity, along with lignite coal and
natural gas; the county is also an important center for the
lumber industry, and the area's distinctive clays are used to
manufacture some of the best bricks in Texas; and
WHEREAS, The colorful days of the 1930s oil boom are
recreated at the Gaston Museum in Joinerville, which is only two
miles from "Dad" Joiner's East Texas Discovery Well, and the
Depot Museum and Children's Discovery Center in Henderson
features a handsomely restored Missouri Pacific Railroad depot
and several other restored historic buildings from the 1800s; and
WHEREAS, Martin Creek Lake State Park offers ample
opportunities for recreation in the area, and the annual Heritage
Syrup Festival in November and the Wildflower Driving Trails
every spring delight residents and visitors alike; and
WHEREAS, Picturesque and historic, Rusk County is home to
industrious and innovative citizens who can take great pride in
their heritage even as they look forward to a bright future; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st
Legislature, hereby recognize April 21, 2009, as Rusk County Day
at the State Capitol and extend to the county's visiting
delegation best wishes for an informative and enjoyable stay in
Austin.
Eltife
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 22, 2009.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate