Bill Text: TX SCR45 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Designating Palestine as the official Dogwood Trails Capital of Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2033.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (N/A - Dead) 2023-04-20 - Referred to Administration [SCR45 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-SCR45-Introduced.html
| 88R19284 BPG-D | ||
| By: Nichols | S.C.R. No. 45 | |
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| WHEREAS, Beloved for its profusion of blossoms, the dogwood | ||
| tree provides one of the most spectacular highlights of springtime | ||
| in the Lone Star State, and the city of Palestine has long been | ||
| renowned for its abundance of these beautiful trees and for its | ||
| famous Texas Dogwood Trails Celebration; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Dogwoods, which are native to the Palestine area, | ||
| can grow to a height of 30 feet and feature a broad canopy of | ||
| branches that burst into bloom in March and April in East Texas; the | ||
| result is a dazzling floral display of majestic white and rosy pink | ||
| petals; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The Texas Dogwood Trails Celebration traces its | ||
| origins to 1938, when local residents Charles W. Woodbridge and | ||
| Eugene Fish discussed their shared appreciation of the trees and | ||
| hatched the idea of creating an event to showcase the many dogwoods | ||
| in and around Palestine; their plan became a reality in 1939, when | ||
| more than 20,000 people took part in the inaugural Dogwood Trails | ||
| gathering; and | ||
| WHEREAS, In the early years, visitors had to drive rough and | ||
| often muddy roads and trudge through densely wooded areas to get a | ||
| glimpse of the loveliest blooms; to make the trees more accessible, | ||
| organizers sought permission to use a plot of land north of the city | ||
| owned by E. W. and H. R. Link; it contained several groves of | ||
| dogwood trees, and with the help of volunteers, a formal trail | ||
| system was completed there in 1941; it became a permanent | ||
| attraction after M. A. Davey purchased the central portion of the | ||
| tract and gifted it to Anderson County; the 254-acre Davey Dogwood | ||
| Park was named in his honor and today features miles of roads and | ||
| hike-and-bike trails; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Over the years, the dogwood trails have remained a | ||
| source of great pride to the people of Palestine, who have | ||
| contributed time and labor to maintain the trees and trails for the | ||
| enjoyment of locals and visitors alike; their efforts have helped | ||
| make their city an extremely popular springtime destination, with | ||
| thousands of people flocking to Davey Dogwood Park and other area | ||
| locations for the trails and celebration; and | ||
| WHEREAS, There is an intrinsic and undeniable joy in | ||
| witnessing the delicate splendor of a dogwood tree in bloom, and | ||
| through the efforts of several generations of citizens, the trails | ||
| have become an essential part of the identity and character of | ||
| Palestine; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas | ||
| hereby designate Palestine as the official Dogwood Trails Capital | ||
| of Texas; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of Section | ||
| 391.003(e), Government Code, this designation remain in effect | ||
| until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is finally | ||
| passed by the legislature. | ||
