H.R. No. 810
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, On February 11, 2023, the City of Terrell is marking
the 150th anniversary of its founding; and
WHEREAS, The city is named for a friend of Sam Houston and
surveyor of the Republic of Texas, Robert A. Terrell, who settled
in the area in 1847; decades later, the advent of the Texas and
Pacific Railway promised opportunities for growth and prosperity;
in order to bring a depot to town, two Kaufman County entrepreneurs,
Charles Cornelius "C. C." Nash and John G. Moore, deeded a large
tract of land to the railway on February 11, 1873; the Terrell
family and former Kaufman County judge W. D. Irvine also donated
land for the project; and
WHEREAS, By the mid-1880s, the population numbered about
3,000, supporting numerous businesses, three weekly newspapers,
and nine churches; impressed by the advocacy of local leaders, as
well as favorable terms offered by a civic-minded landowner, the
state chose a site in the city for its second mental health
facility, now known as Terrell State Hospital; and
WHEREAS, Terrell residents recognized the importance of
education from the town's earliest days; the public school system
was in place by 1882, and a number of colleges have operated in the
community over the years; during World War II, more than 2,000
British Royal Air Force cadets learned to fly at the No. 1 British
Flying Training School; today, Terrell hosts both Trinity Valley
Community College and a venerable HBCU, Southwestern Christian
College; on the SwCC campus stands the home built by
Robert A. Terrell, one of just 20 Round Houses left in the country;
noted alumni of Terrell High School include the late Randy Snow, the
first Paralympian inducted into the Olympic Hall of Fame, and
actor, singer, and comedian Jamie Foxx; the Terrell Independent
School District's Jamie Foxx Performing Arts Center is named in
honor of the Oscar and Grammy Award-winning star; and
WHEREAS, Celebrating a rich and colorful history, the
citizens of Terrell may take justifiable pride in their vibrant
community as they mark this important milestone; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the sesquicentennial of the City of
Terrell and extend to its residents sincere best wishes for the
future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the City of Terrell as an expression of high regard by
the Texas House of Representatives.
Bell of Kaufman
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 810 was adopted by the House on April
5, 2023, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House