H.R. No. 1699
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Proud area residents are joining together to
celebrate Austin County Day at the State Capitol on March 31, 2015,
and this occasion provides a fitting opportunity to recognize the
county's unique contribution to the story of the Lone Star State;
and
WHEREAS, American settlement in the county dates to the early
1820s, when the area became part of Stephen F. Austin's first
colony; the first town to be established was San Felipe de Austin,
which served as the administrative seat of the colony and as a
social, cultural, and commercial center; and
WHEREAS, Austin County was created by the Constitution of
1836 and was formally organized by 1837; San Felipe was the county
seat until 1848, when the county government was moved to Bellville;
and
WHEREAS, Blessed with an abundance of water, grassland, and
forests, the county drew a steady stream of settlers, most of whom
were engaged in agriculture; a number of towns grew substantially
during the 19th century, including Bellville and Wallis and the
railroad towns of Sealy and Kenney; and
WHEREAS, During the 1800s, German and Czech immigrants began
arriving in Austin County in appreciable numbers, and their
influence is felt throughout the region in the societies that they
established and the many communities that they founded; the
cultural mosaic of the county has been further enriched by
immigrants from Mexico, the largest foreign-born group to settle
there in the 20th century, and by African Americans, who played a
fundamental role in the county's development and in the creation of
numerous social and religious institutions; and
WHEREAS, Among the prominent Texans who have resided in
Austin County was Gail Borden Jr., a surveyor and newspaper
publisher who later invented a successful process for condensing
milk; another early citizen, Robert Justus Kleberg, fought in the
Battle of San Jacinto and held several prestigious public offices;
and
WHEREAS, Today, visitors and residents alike can explore the
county's rich heritage, preserved at the San Felipe de Austin State
Historic Site and in rural communities throughout the area, and
they enjoy hunting and fishing opportunities as well as a wealth of
special recreational events; and
WHEREAS, The citizens of Austin County have together built a
vibrant and distinctive corner of Texas, and they may indeed take
pride in their notable history as they look forward to a future
filled with promise; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize March 31, 2015, as Austin County Day
and extend to the visiting delegation a warm welcome to the State
Capitol.
Schubert
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1699 was adopted by the House on March
31, 2015, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House