82R11349 JGH-D
By: Anderson of Dallas H.R. No. 668
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Proud residents of Grand Prairie are gathering in
Austin on March 1, 2011, to celebrate Grand Prairie Day at the State
Capitol; and
WHEREAS, Founded during the Civil War and originally known as
Deckman, this Metroplex city was renamed Grand Prairie in the
1870s; the Texas and Pacific Railway was built to the site in 1876,
and by 1890 the burgeoning community boasted a public school, a
steam gristmill-cotton gin, a broom factory, and a wagon factory;
in 1928, Dallas built Hensley Field just two miles east of Grand
Prairie, and the field became the hub for area army operations; and
WHEREAS, Grand Prairie experienced a substantial boom during
World War II, when a military flight training center and an aircraft
production factory were built nearby, bringing the city's
population from 1,595 to approximately 18,000; and
WHEREAS, Home to more than 175,000 today, and just minutes
south of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Grand Prairie
features a wide range of industry and commerce; aircraft,
furniture, plastics, and machine parts are among the many items
manufactured within the city; and
WHEREAS, Grand Prairie appeals to visitors and residents
alike who delight in such attractions as Lone Star Park, Verizon
Theatre, Uptown Theatre, and two top-ranked golf courses, as well
as popular annual events including the Prairie Dog Chili Cookoff,
the Prairie Lights Christmas display, and the National Championship
Indian Pow Wow; moreover, there are ample opportunities for
recreation at scenic Joe Pool Lake, Mountain Creek Lake, and Lynn
Creek and Loyd Parks; and
WHEREAS, Grand Prairie's excellent location and numerous
amenities make it an ideal community in which to live, work, and
raise a family, and its citizens may indeed take great pride in
their contributions to the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby recognize March 1, 2011, as Grand Prairie Day at
the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere
best wishes for a meaningful and memorable day in Austin.