81R5846 JGH-D
By: Gonzalez Toureilles H.R. No. 189
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Citizens from Karnes County are celebrating their
community's contributions to the Lone Star State with a special day
at the State Capitol on January 29, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Located in the Rio Grande plain region, Karnes
County was first inhabited by hunter-gatherer Indians of the
Coahuiltecan linguistic family, thousands of years before the
arrival of the first European settlers; eventually named for Henry
Wax Karnes, a Texas revolutionary war hero, the county was
officially organized on February 4, 1854, when the legislature
passed a measure recognizing its establishment; and
WHEREAS, This fine Texas county prospered with the arrival of
the railroads in the mid-1880s, which provided improved access to
markets and brought the beginnings of the diversified farming,
livestock, and ranching economy that has supported the county ever
since; and
WHEREAS, Today, the region's leading industries include not
only farming and ranching, but also oil and gas production, uranium
mining and milling, guar processing, and fiberglass products; and
WHEREAS, Karnes County is home to Panna Maria, the nation's
oldest Polish settlement, and the historic Old Helena, a restored
courthouse; additional attractions in the area include the church
of Czestochowa and various annual events, such as the Lonesome Dove
Fest held in Karnes City and community fairs across the region;
Kenedy, Falls City, Gillett, Hobson, and Runge are just a few of the
unique towns that may be found inside the county's borders; and
WHEREAS, Residents of Karnes County are working to preserve
the character and history of their vibrant region while building an
exciting and prosperous future, and it is a pleasure to honor them
on this special day; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby recognize January 29, 2009, as Karnes County Day
at the State Capitol and extend to those present today sincere best
wishes for an enjoyable visit to Austin.