89R17363 JRI-D
By: Hughes S.R. No. 224
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Residents of Panola County are gathering in Austin
on March 11, 2025, to celebrate Panola County Day at the State
Capitol; and
WHEREAS, Located in northeastern Texas and forming part of
the state's border with Louisiana, Panola County covers more than
800 square miles of forests and rolling plains and is traversed by
the Sabine River; the Texas Legislature officially created Panola
County on March 30, 1846, and two years later, voters chose Carthage
as the county seat; and
WHEREAS, It is believed that Judge John Allison, a prominent
civic leader, suggested the name Panola, which may be derived from
the Cherokee word for cotton, ponolo; the area's rich soil was well
suited to the crop, and cotton became the county's main
agricultural product; today, the lush forests also make the county
a popular destination for hiking, birding, and camping enthusiasts,
while anglers enjoy the good fishing waters of Martin Creek Lake and
Lake Murvaul; and
WHEREAS, Panola County's rich heritage is recognized by
nearly 60 Texas Historical Commission markers; the county was the
birthplace of several notable Texans, including Margie Elizabeth
Neal, the first woman elected to serve in the Texas Senate, and
country music stars Tex Ritter and Jim Reeves; a museum dedicated to
Mr. Ritter and a memorial devoted to Mr. Reeves are located in
Carthage, as is the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, which honors
the legacies of both of these men, along with other country music
legends from the state; and
WHEREAS, Named a National Main Street City in Texas, Carthage
is also home to Panola College and the historic Esquire Theater,
which hosts the Country Music Hayride live show; other popular
events taking place in the county seat include the Piney Woods Quilt
Festival in April, the annual Classic Country Music Festival
Weekend in August, and Potlatch, an art, food, and music festival
that takes place in the fall; and
WHEREAS, The citizens of Panola County take great pride in
their rich history as they work together to build an even brighter
future, and it is indeed fitting to honor them for their unique
contributions to the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 89th Texas Legislature
hereby recognize March 11, 2025, as Panola County Day at the State
Capitol and extend a warm welcome to the visiting delegation.