H.R. No. 815 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, Citizens of Erath County are gathering at the State Capitol on April 10, 2025, to celebrate Erath County Day; 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 was named in honor of 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 approximately 3,600 students at three elementary schools, an intermediate school and junior high school, and Stephenville High School; the district 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 county is also 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, Tarleton boasts an enrollment of more than 17,000 students and offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate degree plans; made up of seven academic colleges and four schools, the university offers a number of doctoral degrees 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 89th Texas Legislature hereby recognize April 10, 2025, as Erath County Day at the State Capitol and extend a warm welcome to the visiting delegation. Slawson ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 815 was adopted by the House on April 10, 2025, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House