85R9755 KSM-D
By: Anderson of McLennan H.R. No. 366
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Proud citizens of Waco are gathering in Austin on
March 15, 2017, to celebrate Waco Day at the State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, Surveyor George B. Erath laid out the first block of
Waco in 1849, and lots were sold for five dollars each; named Waco
Village after the Huaco Indians who originally inhabited the area,
the new town was selected as the seat of McLennan County in 1850 and
incorporated as Waco in 1856; and
WHEREAS, After the Civil War, Waco became an important stop
on a spur of the Chisholm Trail, and by the early 1870s, more than
600,000 head of cattle had been driven through the area; the
railroad arrived in 1871, and the city subsequently became a
debarkation point for settlers heading west, as well as a shipping
hub for cotton, wool, and hides; and
WHEREAS, Waco today is home to the renowned Baylor
University, and McLennan Community College and Texas State
Technical College further reflect the importance of education to
the area; the city's economy is supported by the forward-thinking
efforts of the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, which works to
foster a range of industries, including aerospace, advanced
manufacturing, and health care; and
WHEREAS, Residents and visitors alike delight in such
attractions as the Cameron Park Zoo, Art Center Waco, and Homestead
Heritage Traditional Crafts Village; Waco is also home to three
uniquely Texan institutions, the Dr Pepper Museum, the Texas Ranger
Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame; Lake
Waco, the scenic riverwalk along the Brazos, and the 416-acre
Cameron Park offer further recreational opportunities; moreover,
the annual Heart O' Texas Fair and Rodeo in Waco has been a Central
Texas tradition for more than six decades and features livestock
shows, concerts, and carnival rides; and
WHEREAS, Boasting a rich history, thriving educational and
cultural institutions, and a dynamic business community, Waco has
established itself as an outstanding place to live and work, and its
citizens may indeed take pride in their city's ongoing
achievements; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize March 15, 2017, as Waco Day at the
State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere best
wishes for a meaningful and memorable stay in Austin.