H.R. No. 434
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A delegation from Erath County, including
representatives from the county, the City of Stephenville,
Stephenville ISD, the City of Dublin, Dublin ISD and Tarleton State
University, are gathering at the State Capitol on March 1, 2023, and
this occasion provides a welcome opportunity to recognize the
county's contributions to the Lone Star State; and
WHEREAS, Formed in 1856, Erath County is named for George
B. Erath, an original surveyor of the area; cotton farming was an
important early industry, and fruit orchards, dairy and poultry
farms, and other agricultural ventures later became prominent; coal
mining also provided jobs, and the Thurber Brick Company was
established in 1918 to manufacture such materials as tile and
paving bricks; and
WHEREAS, The seat of Erath County, Stephenville is situated
along the Bosque River; it honors John M. Stephen, who settled there
in 1854 and donated land for the townsite; Stephenville has
received the Main Street designation from the Texas Historical
Commission, and the 1892 Erath County Courthouse designed by James
Riely Gordon is renowned for its beauty; serving as a hub for the
area's agricultural operations, Stephenville is also the site of
medical facilities and retail businesses, with a range of
manufacturers, including Fortune 500 companies, adding economic
diversity to the community; and
WHEREAS, The Stephenville Independent School District serves
more than 3,600 students at three elementary schools, an
intermediate school and junior high school, and Stephenville High
School; the district has received an overall A rating from the Texas
Education Agency and places a strong emphasis on the core values of
initiative, integrity, and growth in preparing students for the
challenges and opportunities of the future; and
WHEREAS, the city of Dublin is located is southwestern Erath
County; Dublin is home to Dublin Bottling Works, a bottling company
formerly responsible for the famed "Dublin Dr. Pepper"; Dublin is
the home of many famous Texan faces including renowned golfer Ben
Hogan and legendary cowboy Gene Autry; Dublin is known as the
official Irish Capitol of Texas, a designation it received in 2005;
and
WHEREAS, The Dublin Independent School System serves more
than 1,000 students at Dublin Elementary School, Dublin
Intermediate School, and Dublin High School; the district has
received an overall A rating from the Texas Education Agency and
boasts a near 95% four year graduation rate; and
WHEREAS, The county is home to two higher education
facilities, Ranger College and Tarleton State University, which is
a four-year institution that was established in 1899; a member of
The Texas A&M University System, TSU boasts an enrollment of more
than 14,000 students and offers nearly 100 undergraduate and
graduate degree plans; made up of seven academic colleges, the
university also offers a doctorate in education and expanded online
programs; and
WHEREAS, Beloved for its rich Western heritage and rural
friendliness, Erath County is one of the treasures of Texas, and its
citizens may indeed take pride in the place they call home; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize March 1, 2023, as Erath County Day at
the State Capitol and commend the visitors from the county, the City
of Stephenville, Stephenville ISD, and Tarleton State University
for their community's contributions to the Lone Star State.
Slawson
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 434 was adopted by the House on March
1, 2023, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House