SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 342
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
recognize the citizens of Matagorda County who are visiting
Austin on March 5, 2013, to celebrate Matagorda County Day at the
State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, One of the oldest counties in Texas, Matagorda
County is located between Galveston and Corpus Christi along the
Gulf Coast; it derives its name from the Spanish word for "thick
brush," referring to the canebrakes that formerly lined its
shores; the county is 72 miles southwest of Houston; its location
allows residents easy access to a large metropolitan city while
providing them the quiet lifestyle of a rural South Texas
community, and the county is a destination for many northern
neighbors during the winter months; and
WHEREAS, Noted for its abundant wildlife, Matagorda County
has more species of birds than any other county in the United
States; its diverse geography, from marshes and coastal prairies
to rivers and forests, affords outstanding birding
opportunities, and the Matagorda County Birding Nature Center is
an ideal place to learn about birds, gardening, wildlife, and
native plants; the county is home to 14 Great Texas Coastal
Birding Trails; and
WHEREAS, The county's bays are filled with redfish,
flounder, trout, crab, and shrimp, and the Port of Palacios is
home to more than 200 shrimp boats and handles more commercial
shrimp than any other Texas port; and
WHEREAS, Bay City is the county seat of Matagorda County
and is known as "the gateway to the great outdoors"; it was
founded in 1894 and named for its location in the center of a vast
coastal prairie known from the time of Stephen F. Austin as "Bay
Prairie"; although the town is 25 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, a
port was constructed in the 1960s to link it to the Gulf
Intracoastal Waterway by the Colorado River; and
WHEREAS, Matagorda County is blessed with a rich history
and abundant natural resources, and its residents may take great
pride in their county's legacy and bright future; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd
Legislature, hereby proclaim March 5, 2013, as Matagorda County
Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation
sincere best wishes for a memorable and meaningful stay in
Austin; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in
honor of this special day.
Hegar
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 4, 2013.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate