[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 16916-16917]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                     MABANK CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 27, 2000

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to rise today in 
recognition of the Centennial Celebration of MaBank, Texas in the 
fourth Congressional District. Mabank was established in 1889 when two 
ranchers, Mason and Eubank, convinced railroad officials to build their 
line through their ranches. Thus, the community Mabank was formed and 
named for these two ranchers--and one-hundred years later continues to 
be a thriving community beloved by its dedicated citizens and filled 
with community spirit.
  To celebrate this important milestone, Centennial Committee Chairman 
Robert Eubank, and members Louann Confer, Larry Teague, Jim Clark, John 
Hyde, Tom Whatley, Hughla Beets and Andrea Pickens, along with 
Centennial Coordinators Vicky Watters and Scott Confer, are planning a 
festive week of activities from October 3 to 7, 2000.

[[Page 16917]]

  The celebration will begin with a tribute to Veterans that will 
include a special salute flyover by F-16's from the 457th Fighter 
Squadron. The Mabank Band will present a patriotic concert and other 
Mabank Independent School District students will perform dances 
representative of various periods during the last century. There also 
will be a skit depicting the history of Mabank. Area churches will come 
together one evening for singing, and several groups, including the 
contemporary Christian band ``Forty Days'' will close the evening's 
events.
  A carnival will run through the remainder of the week, and there will 
be an authentic representation of the Wild, Wild West, among other 
special events. Friday night the Mabank Panthers football team will 
take on their traditional rival, the Kemp Yellow Jackets. On Saturday, 
a parade commemorating the history of Mabank will begin at Mabank High 
School. The three acres adjacent to the new Pavilion and Rodeo Arena 
will be bustling with the carnival, a chili cook-off, classic and 
antique car show and an arts and crafts festival. Other activities 
include a quilting show and a domino tournament. Centennial week events 
will culminate with a concert starring Mark Chesnutt and Woody Lee as 
featured entertainers.
  Mr. Speaker, centennial celebrations are important footnotes to our 
nation's history. We have much to be thankful for in our great nation, 
and I join the citizens of Mabank in celebrating the rich history of 
their hometown during their Centennial Celebration this year. I would 
have a difficult time in discussing Mabank and not remembering a great 
part of the bedrock of this city, county, state and nation--the late 
Andrew Gibbs. Space and time prevent me from listing his many 
contributions, and acts of kindness and friendship, but suffice it to 
say that he is missed by all who knew him. So as we adjourn today, let 
us do so by paying tribute to the Centennial Anniversary of Mabank, 
Texas, and to one of its most distinguished citizens, the late Andrew 
Gibbs.

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