H.C.R. No. 181
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Brazos River is the longest river in Texas, with
a watershed stretching from New Mexico to the Gulf of Mexico;
intertwined with the history of the Lone Star State, the Brazos was
well-known to early Spanish explorers, who called it "Los Brazos de
Dios," or "the Arms of God"; and
WHEREAS, In its 840-mile journey from the confluence of the
Salt and Double Mountain Forks in Stonewall County, the Brazos
crosses most of the physiographic regions of Texas, including the
High Plains, the West Texas Rolling Plains, the Western Cross
Timbers, the Grand Prairie, and the Gulf Coastal Plain; one of the
loveliest stretches, between Possum Kingdom Reservoir and Lake
Whitney, was immortalized by John Graves in his acclaimed and
enduringly popular book Goodbye to a River, first published in
1960; the 79th Texas Legislature recognized the author's
contributions to literature and to public awareness of the Brazos
by designating as the John Graves Scenic Riverway the portion of the
river basin downstream of the Morris Shepard Dam to the county line
between Parker and Hood Counties; and
WHEREAS, Equally picturesque is the neighboring section of
the Brazos that meanders through the eastern third of Somervell
County, where Mr. Graves has lived for decades on a Glen Rose farm;
the riverbanks are lush with cedar, live oaks, and post oaks, and
limestone cliffs and outcroppings provide a dramatic backdrop as
kayakers and canoeists enjoy the gentle, winding course of the
water, which is well suited to families and novice paddlers; the
landscape here is characterized by vistas of rocky hills and small,
fertile valleys, and the idyllic, agrarian setting is populated by
a wide variety of wildlife, such as white-tailed deer, turkey, fox,
and rabbits; bird-watchers delight in the region's great horned
owls, whip-poor-wills, and waterfowl; visitors to this resort area
can also witness some of the state's most vibrant fall colors and
enjoy an abundance of wildflowers in the spring; and
WHEREAS, Generations of Texans have rejoiced in the
unforgettable beauty of the Brazos River Basin in Somervell County,
and nearly half a century after John Graves wrote his eloquent
tribute, this part of the Brazos remains a natural treasure; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby designate the section of the Brazos River Basin and its
contributing watershed within Somervell County as the Scenic
Riverway of Somervell County.
Miller of Erath
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 181 was adopted by the House on May
24, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 148, Nays 0, 1 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 181 was adopted by the Senate on May
30, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor