SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 400 WHEREAS, Proud residents of Coppell are gathering at the State Capitol to celebrate Coppell Day on March 9, 2017; and WHEREAS, The first known settler in what was originally called Grapevine Springs was James Parish, who moved to the area in the mid-1800s; in time, a farming community developed, and its post office took the name Gibbs in honor of Barnett Gibbs, a Dallas lawyer, civic leader, politician, and local real estate investor; strongly supported by the state's farmers, Mr. Gibbs served in the 1880s as lieutenant governor; and WHEREAS, The young town acquired rail connections in 1888 with the arrival of the St. Louis, Arkansas and Texas Railway, and in 1890, the station there was named Coppell, probably after New York financier George Coppell, who had provided crucial assistance to the rail line; two years later, the town adopted the name Coppell, and the city incorporated in 1955; and WHEREAS, Originally an agricultural center, Coppell today boasts numerous businesses and is a thriving residential community with excellent services, an exemplary parks and recreation system, and safe neighborhoods; nearly 12,000 students are enrolled in the Coppell Independent School District, which is home to multiple National Blue Ribbon campuses; the city benefits from its central location at the heart of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, only five miles from DFW International Airport and 30 minutes from both Dallas and Fort Worth; in 2012 and again in 2014, it was named one of the best suburbs in the region by D Magazine, and it has been further recognized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Keep Texas Beautiful; and WHEREAS, Coppell residents are building on their past achievements as they work toward an even brighter future, and it is indeed fitting to take this opportunity to honor them; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th Legislature, hereby recognize March 9, 2017, as Coppell Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere best wishes for an informative and enjoyable stay in Austin. Huffines ________________________________ President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 9, 2017. ________________________________ Secretary of the Senate ________________________________ Member, Texas Senate