88R6923 JGH-D
By: Harris of Anderson H.R. No. 161
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Members of the Jacksonville Leadership Institute
and the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce are gathering in Austin on
February 14, 2023, to celebrate Jacksonville Leadership Day at the
State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, Now the largest city in Cherokee County,
Jacksonville was founded in 1847 along the banks of Gum Creek, and
it was moved to its present location in 1872 to be closer to the
railroad; and
WHEREAS, The early economy centered around agriculture, and
Jacksonville was a leading center of peach production before
tomatoes became the primary crop; today, the Jacksonville economy
is supported by a diverse mix of industries, ranging from plastic
manufacturing to major clothing shipping outlets, medical
facilities, and more; the city is also home to the family-owned
Texas Basket Company, which supplies unique handcrafted baskets
nationwide and celebrated its first 100 years of business in 2019;
and
WHEREAS, Education is an important part of the Jacksonville
community, and the Baptist Missionary Association Theological
Seminary is located there, as is Jacksonville College, one of the
last remaining private junior colleges in the state; additionally,
all eight campuses of the Jacksonville Independent School District
have been recipients of the highest rating from the Texas Education
Agency; and
WHEREAS, Home to numerous attractions, Jacksonville has been
called the Tomato Capital of the World, and it continues to
celebrate that heritage with the annual Tomato Festival; moreover,
it has been recognized for creating the world's largest bowl of
salsa; the city is also the site of the Tomato Bowl football and
soccer stadium, which has been in operation since 1940 and is one of
the last remaining downtown stadiums in Texas, as well as Love's
Lookout, a scenic park featuring breathtaking views; and
WHEREAS, Residents and visitors alike enjoy a number of
special events, including the Jacksonville Tomato Fest, the Nicky
Wheeler Memorial Bull Riding event, the Tops in Texas Rodeo, and
competitions at River Run ATV Park; furthermore, Lake Jacksonville
provides a setting for camping, boating, fishing, and other outdoor
activities; and
WHEREAS, The citizens of Jacksonville are working to preserve
their rich history even as they look ahead to the opportunities of
the future, and they may take justifiable pride in their unique
contributions to the story of the Lone Star State; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize February 14, 2023, as Jacksonville
Leadership Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting
delegation sincere best wishes for a meaningful and memorable stay
in Austin.