86R16302 BPG-D
By: Harris H.R. No. 758
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Residents of Palestine are gathering in Austin on
March 12 and 13, 2019, in celebration of Palestine Days at the State
Capitol; and
WHEREAS, In 1846, the first legislature of the State of Texas
established Anderson County, and a county seat was laid out at its
center on a 100-acre tract; it was named Palestine after a town in
Illinois, the previous home of early settlers; the town's early
prosperity derived from the shipment of agricultural goods down the
Trinity River; in 1875, the county gave a $150,000 bonus to the
International-Great Northern Railroad for locating its
headquarters in Palestine, and within five years, the town's
population doubled to more than 4,000; prominent citizens hired
such noted architects as Nicholas Clayton and Wesley Clark Dodson
to design numerous buildings that are now landmarks; and
WHEREAS, Palestine has continued to thrive as a
transportation and shipping hub, due to its favorable location on
major highways as well as the Union Pacific Railroad; in the 1980s,
Walmart built its first distribution center outside of Arkansas in
Palestine, and the retail giant added another center in 1994; the
city is also home to wholesale beverage and aerospace parts
distributors, a giftware company, and a growing medical industry;
nurturing a well-educated workforce, it supports two colleges,
Trinity Valley Community College-Palestine and The University of
Texas at Tyler Palestine Campus; and
WHEREAS, A designated Texas Main Street City, Palestine draws
visitors with a magnificent architectural legacy of structures
dating from the early 19th to the mid-20th century, among them many
restored Victorian homes; it boasts more than 1,800 historic sites,
and the Texas State Railroad, the oldest heritage railway in the
state, offers both steam and diesel train excursions; other popular
attractions include the Museum for East Texas Culture, the Texas
Theatre, and Davey Dogwood Park, which has hosted the annual Texas
Dogwood Trails Celebration since 1944; and
WHEREAS, Palestine has practiced careful stewardship of its
rich past and natural beauty while adapting to the changing demands
of modern commerce, and its residents may take justifiable pride in
the dynamic and beautiful place they call home; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize March 12 and 13, 2019, as Palestine
Days at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation
sincere best wishes for a memorable and enjoyable stay in Austin.