82R7924 RYA-D
By: Beck H.R. No. 422
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Proud residents of Falls County and the City of
Marlin are gathering in Austin on February 17, 2011, to celebrate
Falls County and Marlin Day at the State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, Taking its name from the falls of the Brazos River,
the area has a long and colorful history; in the early days, the
site of the falls served as an important river crossing and campsite
for American Indians and white settlers; several Indian tribes used
the surrounding area as hunting grounds, and Cherokees settled in
the environs in the 1830s; Americans of European descent first
arrived in the vicinity in 1819, but they did not establish a
permanent presence until after Sterling C. Robertson formed the
Nashville colony in 1830; following the Texas Revolution, settlers
from the United States began moving into the area in increasing
numbers; and
WHEREAS, Falls County was officially created in 1850 from
portions of Limestone and Milam Counties; situated in the Blackland
Prairie, Falls County covers 765 square miles of gently rolling
terrain that is bisected by the Brazos River; farming and ranching
have always been important industries in the area, and the rich,
fertile soil has produced abundant crops of cotton, corn, wheat,
and grain sorghum, as well as provided excellent pastureland for
raising cattle; in addition to Marlin, communities in the county
include Rosebud, Lott, Golinda, Sunrise, Reagan, Satin, Perry, and
Otto; and
WHEREAS, Marlin became the county seat on January 30, 1851;
originally called Adams, the community was soon renamed in honor of
John Marlin, one of the first Anglo settlers in the county; the town
incorporated in 1867, and four years later it welcomed the arrival
of its first railroad, the Houston and Texas Central; Marlin's
character as an agricultural and trade center underwent further
evolution after 1892, when drilling in the town tapped into hot
mineral artesian water; the discovery led to Marlin's development
as a noted health resort, and for more than 50 years, people would
travel to the town to bathe in its spas; and
WHEREAS, Many accomplished Texans have called Marlin home,
among them United States senator Thomas Connally, who played an
instrumental role in the creation of the United Nations and NATO,
and bluesman and slide guitar virtuoso "Blind Willie" Johnson; jazz
artist Bobbi Humphrey, known as the "First Lady of the Flute," was
born in Marlin, while LaDainian Tomlinson, who was named both the
NFL Most Valuable Player and the Walter Payton Man of the Year for
2006, is from Rosebud; and
WHEREAS, Today, Marlin offers natural beauty, small-town
charm, and a wide array of social and recreational resources;
adding to the town's quality of life are a new library, a community
playhouse, and a number of social organizations, including what is
reportedly the oldest musical club in the state; moreover, the
calendar is dotted throughout the year with a variety of special
events; and
WHEREAS, The hardworking citizens of Falls County and Marlin
can take justifiable pride in their rich history as they continue to
build a bright future, and this is indeed a fitting opportunity to
honor their many contributions to the Lone Star State; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby recognize February 17, 2011, as Falls County and
Marlin Day at the State Capitol and extend sincere best wishes to
all those in attendance for an enjoyable visit to Austin.