89S21217 KSM-D     By: Curry H.R. No. 107       R E S O L U T I O N          WHEREAS, Proud residents of McLennan County are celebrating   the 175th anniversary of their county's establishment in 2025; and          WHEREAS, Situated in East Central Texas, McLennan County   occupies 1,031 square miles on the Grand and Blackland Prairies; it   is believed that Tonkawas were native to the region, and members of   the Wichita, Caddo, and Delaware tribes were also present before   the arrival of Anglo settlers; part of the colonization grant   obtained from Mexico in 1825, McLennan County was created by the   Texas Legislature on January 22, 1850, and named for pioneer Neil   McLennan; its government was organized in August of that year with   Waco as its county seat; beginning in September, under the   direction of county Chief Justice John T. Eubank, the area was laid   out in three precincts, and reviewers were appointed for roads   leading from Waco to Austin and other towns; further, officials set   a $20 license fee for the ferry captain to transport passengers on   foot, horse-drawn wagons, and livestock across the Brazos River;   and          WHEREAS, Starting in the 1870s, the addition of the Waco   Suspension Bridge over the Brazos as well as railroads made Waco a   major center for trade; cotton had long been the leading industry,   and the early 20th century ushered in a new type of commerce, with   the Barton Dyanshine factory, the Atlas Portland Cement Company,   and other large businesses moving to the area; and          WHEREAS, By 1990, McLennan County's population had exceeded   189,000, and today, some 273,400 residents call the county home;   its biggest city, Waco, boasts such attractions as the Texas Ranger   Hall of Fame and Museum, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, the   Dr Pepper Museum, and the riverside Brazos Park East; four of the   county's institutions of higher learning, Baylor University,   McLennan Community College, Tarleton State University, and the   Texas State Technical College flagship campus, are also located in   Waco; and          WHEREAS, Celebrating their rich history as they work together   to build an even brighter future, the people of McLennan County may   take great pride in the important role their communities continue   to play in the story of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas   Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby commemorate the 175th   anniversary of McLennan County 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 county as an expression of high regard by the Texas   House of Representatives.