SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 136
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
welcome the residents of Panola County and to recognize February
7, 2017, as Panola County Day at the State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, Located in northeastern Texas and forming part of
the state's border with Louisiana, Panola County covers more than
800 square miles of forests and rolling plains and is traversed
by the Sabine River; the area experienced a land rush in the 1830s
as settlers arrived from the southern United States; on March 30,
1846, the Texas Legislature officially created Panola County,
and two years later, voters chose Carthage as the county
seat; and
WHEREAS, It is believed that Judge John Allison, a
prominent civic leader, suggested the name Panola, which may be
derived from the Cherokee word for cotton, ponolo; the area's
rich soil was well-suited to the crop, and cotton became the
county's main cash product; today, Panola County enjoys a
diversified economy, primarily based on oil and gas production,
agriculture, food processing, and timber; the lush forests make
the county a popular destination for hiking, birding, and camping
enthusiasts, while anglers enjoy the good fishing waters of
Martin Creek Lake and Murvaul Lake; and
WHEREAS, Home to nearly 50 Texas Historical Commission
markers, Panola County was the birthplace of several notable
Texans, including Margie Elizabeth Neal, the first woman elected
to serve in the Texas Senate, and country music stars Tex Ritter
and Jim Reeves; a museum dedicated to Mr. Ritter and a memorial
dedicated to Mr. Reeves are located in Carthage, as is the Texas
Country Music Hall of Fame, which honors the legacies of both of
these men, as well as other country music legends from the state;
the hall of fame also hosts the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame
Show and John Ritter Tribute Showcase every August; and
WHEREAS, Carthage, which was named a 2014 National Main
Street City in Texas, is also home to the historic Esquire
Theater, which plays host to the Country Music Hayride every
Saturday night; other popular events taking place in the county
seat include the Piney Woods Quilt Festival in April and the East
Texas Oil and Gas Blast in October, which features live music, a
car show, and arts and crafts; and
WHEREAS, The citizens of Panola County have long made
important contributions to the Lone Star State, and it is most
fitting that they be honored on this special day; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
Legislature, hereby recognize the residents of Panola County on
Panola County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting
delegation sincere best wishes for a memorable and meaningful
visit to Austin.
Hughes
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 7, 2017.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate