| 1 | 1 | | SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 179 |
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| 2 | 2 | | WHEREAS, Proud residents of Longview are marking the 150th |
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| 3 | 3 | | anniversary of the founding of their community on May 17, 2021; |
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| 4 | 4 | | and |
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| 5 | 5 | | WHEREAS, The origins of Longview date back to 1870, when |
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| 6 | 6 | | Ossamus Hitch Methvin deeded 100 acres to the Southern Pacific |
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| 7 | 7 | | Railroad; reportedly, railroad management called the new |
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| 8 | 8 | | settlement Longview, because of the impressive view from |
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| 9 | 9 | | Mr. Methvin's home; a post office was established the following |
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| 10 | 10 | | January, and the town was officially incorporated on May 17, |
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| 11 | 11 | | 1871; for several years, Longview was the western terminus of the |
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| 12 | 12 | | railroad, and it quickly became an important regional trading |
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| 13 | 13 | | center as wagons from throughout East Texas journeyed to the |
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| 14 | 14 | | town; originally part of Upshur County, the city became the |
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| 15 | 15 | | county seat of the newly formed Gregg County in 1873; and |
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| 16 | 16 | | WHEREAS, Supported by the railroad and the cotton |
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| 17 | 17 | | industry, Longview flourished, and by the early 20th century, the |
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| 18 | 18 | | town boasted modern water, sewage, and electric systems as well |
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| 19 | 19 | | as paid fire and health departments; the local economy was |
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| 20 | 20 | | further enriched by the development of the East Texas Oil Field |
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| 21 | 21 | | in the 1930s and the Big Inch Pipeline during World War II; and |
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| 22 | 22 | | WHEREAS, Longview today is a vibrant and prosperous |
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| 23 | 23 | | community of more than 80,000 citizens; while the oil and |
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| 24 | 24 | | railroad industries continue to play a vital role in its economy, |
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| 25 | 25 | | the city has also become a regional hub for medical services, |
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| 26 | 26 | | education, and business; in 2019, the Longview Chamber of |
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| 27 | 27 | | Commerce was named Chamber of the Year by the Association of |
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| 28 | 28 | | Chamber of Commerce Executives; and |
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| 29 | 29 | | WHEREAS, Longview is home to the Great Texas Balloon Race, |
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| 30 | 30 | | which is a beloved tradition popular with residents and visitors |
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| 31 | 31 | | alike; moreover, the city offers ample opportunities for |
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| 32 | 32 | | recreation at its numerous parks and trails, and audiences can |
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| 33 | 33 | | enjoy world-class performances as well as local talent in the |
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| 34 | 34 | | thriving arts district; and |
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| 35 | 35 | | WHEREAS, Celebrating their rich history as they work to |
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| 36 | 36 | | build an even brighter future, the people of Longview are |
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| 37 | 37 | | justifiably proud of their community, and it is indeed fitting to |
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| 38 | 38 | | recognize the city's contributions to the Lone Star State; now, |
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| 39 | 39 | | therefore, be it |
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| 40 | 40 | | RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th |
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| 41 | 41 | | Legislature, hereby commemorate the 150th anniversary of the |
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| 42 | 42 | | city of Longview and extend to its citizens sincere best wishes |
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| 43 | 43 | | for the future; and, be it further |
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| 44 | 44 | | RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be |
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| 45 | 45 | | prepared for the city as an expression of high regard from the |
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| 46 | 46 | | Texas Senate. |
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| 47 | 47 | | Hughes |
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| 48 | 48 | | ________________________________ |
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| 49 | 49 | | President of the Senate |
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| 50 | 50 | | I hereby certify that the |
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| 51 | 51 | | above Resolution was adopted by |
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| 52 | 52 | | the Senate on March 22, 2021. |
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| 53 | 53 | | ________________________________ |
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| 54 | 54 | | Secretary of the Senate |
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| 55 | 55 | | ________________________________ |
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| 56 | 56 | | Member, Texas Senate |
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