85R5770 KSM-D
By: Ashby H.R. No. 38
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Proud residents of Lufkin and Angelina County are
gathering in Austin on February 15, 2017, 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 Vicente Micheli purchased
five and a half 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 first 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 economy; 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 bird-watchers 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 relating to 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 American Western Art,
which exhibits the work of notable contemporary artists; in
addition, Lufkin is home to the main campus of Angelina College; and
WHEREAS, Celebrating their rich history as they work to build
an even brighter future, the citizens of Lufkin and Angelina County
may take great pride in the important role their unique region
continues to play in the story of the Lone Star State; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize February 15, 2017, 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.