SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 86
WHEREAS, Proud citizens of Brazoria County are gathering
in Austin to celebrate Brazoria County Day at the State Capitol
on March 19, 2013; and
WHEREAS, This section of coastal prairie along the Brazos
River was inhabited during the first three centuries of Texas'
recorded history by the nomadic Karankawa Indians; the Spanish
explorer Cabeza de Vaca passed through the region as early as
1528, and the pirate Jean Lafitte was rumored to have used the
mouth of the Brazos as a refuge; and
WHEREAS, The region was settled in the 1820s by members of
Stephen F. Austin's Old Three Hundred; Henry Smith of Brazoria
served as the first American-born governor of the Mexican
territory of Texas and as a leader of the movement for
independence, and the town of Columbia served as the capital of
Texas during the first Texas Congress; in 1836, Brazoria County
became one of the original counties established by the new
republic; and
WHEREAS, Farming and ranching initially constituted the
mainstays of the county's economy; the discovery of oil and sulfur
deposits in the early 20th century helped the region grow, and
chemical processing became increasingly important during World War
II and after; commercial fishing and the recreation industry have
helped to ensure continuing economic development; and
WHEREAS, Today, the eight cities of the Brazosport
area--Clute, Freeport, Jones Creek, Lake Jackson, Oyster Creek,
Quintana, Richwood, and Surfside Beach--boast excellent schools
and affordable housing; visitors and residents alike take great
pleasure in miles of sandy beaches, bay and offshore fishing,
scuba diving, and outstanding bird-watching at the Brazoria and
San Bernard National Wildlife Refuges; and
WHEREAS, Angleton, the county seat, abounds with antique
shops and scenic parks and hosts the county fair, one of the
largest in Texas, every October and Christmas on the Square in
December; the town of Alvin is home to the Nolan Ryan Center,
which celebrates the career of its native son and Baseball Hall
of Famer; the nearby town of Pearland is a center for the chemical
and oil industries; and
WHEREAS, The educational opportunities available to
students at Alvin Community College and Brazosport College
further contribute to the county's many amenities; and
WHEREAS, Even as they celebrate their rich heritage, the
hardworking citizens of Brazoria County are looking ahead to the
opportunities of the future and continuing to contribute greatly
to the growth and prosperity of the Lone Star State; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd
Legislature, hereby recognize March 19, 2013, as Brazoria County
Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation
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.
Huffman, Taylor
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 19, 2013.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate
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Member, Texas Senate