82R21288 MGR-D
By: Nash H.R. No. 1489
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Six Flags Over Texas is celebrating its 50th
anniversary in 2011; located in Arlington, the park has entertained
an estimated 100 million people since its opening on August 5, 1961;
and
WHEREAS, Founded by Angus G. Wynne, Jr., of the Great
Southwest Corporation with the help of Arlington mayor Tom
Vandergriff, Six Flags Over Texas was named for the six countries
whose flags have flown over Texas land: Spain, France, Mexico, the
Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of America, and the
United States of America; the park has been so successful it has
become a model for the regional park industry, and today there are
19 Six Flags theme parks in North America; and
WHEREAS, Six Flags Over Texas is credited with helping
Arlington to attract the Texas Rangers major league baseball team
and then Cowboys Stadium, thus enabling Arlington to host the World
Series and the Super Bowl; a leading employer in Arlington and
Tarrant County, the park hires 3,500 seasonal and part-time workers
annually; and
WHEREAS, Through a series of special programs, Six Flags
supports many nonprofit organizations that work to make a
difference in their communities, and among the groups benefiting
from this support are the Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers Big
Sisters, the Ronald McDonald House, and the Make a Wish Foundation;
and
WHEREAS, With 13 roller coasters, more than at any other
theme park in the south, Six Flags Over Texas has been chosen to
host the 2011 annual convention of the American Coaster
Enthusiasts; and
WHEREAS, Six Flags Over Texas has taken its place as a part of
Texas history even as its owners look forward to the next
half-century, and it is a pleasure to recognize the site of fond
memories for so many Lone Star State families; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the 50th anniversary of Six Flags
Over Texas and extend to all those associated with the park sincere
best wishes for continued success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Six Flags Over Texas as an expression of high regard by
the Texas House of Representatives.