83R5925 JWI-D
By: Ashby H.R. No. 256
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Proud residents of Lufkin and Angelina County are
gathering in Austin on February 7, 2013, to celebrate Lufkin and
Angelina County Day at the State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, Set among the pine and hardwood forests of East
Texas, this verdant area was first inhabited by the Caddo and
Atakapan people; the county is said to be named after a Hainai
Indian girl who aided Spanish missionaries in the early 1690s; and
WHEREAS, In 1801, a settler named Vincente Micheli purchased
5-1/2 leagues of land in the area from the chief of the Bedias
tribe; Anglo American settlers began to arrive in 1820, and the
Mexican government issued land grants in the region in the
mid-1830s; after Texas independence, Angelina County was
established from part of Nacogdoches County in 1846, and Lufkin was
made county seat in 1892; and
WHEREAS, Following the arrival of the railroad in 1882,
lumber became the foundation of Angelina County's economy; by the
turn of the 20th century, the nation's need for southern pine
supported more than 15 lumber companies in the county; today,
lumber, paper, and the manufacturing of oil-field equipment
continue to be mainstays of the county's prosperity; and
WHEREAS, Residents and visitors alike enjoy the region's fine
recreational opportunities; the Angelina National Forest is a
favorite for hikers and campers, while the Sam Rayburn Reservoir is
known for its boating, fishing, and waterskiing; the county's
forestlands are also a prime habitat for many species of birds,
drawing birdwatchers from around the state and nation; and
WHEREAS, As the largest town and the seat of government,
Lufkin serves as the center of operations for many of the businesses
in the county, particularly those revolving around the processing
of lumber and wood products; that industry's development is
chronicled at the Texas Forestry Museum, and the city includes
several other notable attractions, including the Museum of East
Texas, the Ellen Trout Zoo and Park, and the Medford Collection of
Western Art, which exhibits the work of notable contemporary
artists; in addition, Lufkin is home to the campus of Angelina
College; and
WHEREAS, Its scenic beauty and the industriousness and
creativity of its people combine to make Angelina County a vital and
dynamic part of the Lone Star State, and the members of this chamber
take great pleasure in recognizing this fine county's contribution
to the heritage of Texas; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby recognize February 7, 2013, as Lufkin and
Angelina County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting
delegation best wishes for a meaningful and memorable stay in
Austin.