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          R E S O L U T I O N
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               WHEREAS, Proud residents of Rockwall County are gathering in  | 
      
      
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        Austin on February 23, 2015, to celebrate Rockwall County Day at the  | 
      
      
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        State Capitol; and | 
      
      
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               WHEREAS, Situated on the gently rolling Blackland Prairie of  | 
      
      
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        North Texas, the region was inhabited by members of the Caddo and  | 
      
      
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        Cherokee tribes before the first European resident, John O. Heath,  | 
      
      
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        settled on the East Fork of the Trinity River in 1846; Rockwall  | 
      
      
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        County was established in 1873, taking its name from an underground  | 
      
      
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        rock formation; and | 
      
      
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               WHEREAS, The smallest county in Texas, yet among the fastest  | 
      
      
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        growing, Rockwall County today boasts a population of more than  | 
      
      
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        85,000 people who are committed to economic development while  | 
      
      
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        maintaining their bustling downtowns and small-community  | 
      
      
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        atmosphere; and | 
      
      
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               WHEREAS, The city of Rockwall was named by early explorer  | 
      
      
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        T. U. Wade, who discovered a large rock wall when digging a well in  | 
      
      
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        the mid-1800s; dedicated to preserving their community's rich  | 
      
      
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        heritage and family-friendly environment, residents and civic  | 
      
      
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        leaders are working hard to keep a small-town feel to a vibrant city  | 
      
      
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        even as its population continues to grow; and | 
      
      
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               WHEREAS, The city of Heath boasts a premier residential  | 
      
      
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        community located along the picturesque shores of Lake Ray Hubbard,  | 
      
      
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        and its residents enjoy high property values, low tax rates, and  | 
      
      
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        exemplary schools; and | 
      
      
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               WHEREAS, Looking to the future with a strong chamber of  | 
      
      
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        commerce that supports local businesses, Royse City, too, is making  | 
      
      
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        it a priority to preserve its roots; with a lively downtown and  | 
      
      
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        superior schools, it has truly become an ideal spot to call home;  | 
      
      
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        and | 
      
      
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               WHEREAS, In an area known for its rich blackland soil, the  | 
      
      
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        town of McLendon-Chisholm dates back to the mid-1800s and is  | 
      
      
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        partially named for P. A. McLendon, an area landowner, who  | 
      
      
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        encouraged growth when he built a store and a blacksmith shop before  | 
      
      
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        the community merged with another to become the inviting town it is  | 
      
      
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        today; and | 
      
      
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               WHEREAS, Mobile City is the county's newest incorporated town  | 
      
      
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        and its smallest, with 188 residents; additionally, its land area  | 
      
      
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        of just 0.02 square miles distinguishes it as having the highest  | 
      
      
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        population density of any municipality in Texas; and | 
      
      
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               WHEREAS, Rockwall County is an exceptional place to live,  | 
      
      
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        work, and raise a family, and this occasion provides a fitting  | 
      
      
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        opportunity to honor its citizens for their contributions to the  | 
      
      
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        history and prosperity of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it | 
      
      
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               RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas  | 
      
      
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        Legislature hereby recognize February 23, 2015, as Rockwall County  | 
      
      
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        Day at the State Capitol and extend to all the residents here today  | 
      
      
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        best wishes for an informative and enjoyable visit. |