H.R. No. 272
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Proud residents of Waller County are gathering in
Austin on February 3, 2015, to celebrate Waller County Day at the
State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, The Waller County area was originally settled by
members of Stephen F. Austin's Old Three Hundred during the 1820s;
shortly thereafter, it became the site of perhaps the first cotton
plantation in Texas, which was used as an encampment by members of
General Sam Houston's army during the Texas Revolution; in 1873,
the county was carved from sections of Austin and Grimes Counties
and named after Edwin Waller, a signer of the Texas Declaration of
Independence and the first mayor of Austin; and
WHEREAS, Waller County's growth was chiefly driven by
agriculture, with cotton, corn, and cattle serving as mainstays,
until the discovery of petroleum in the 1930s helped to diversify
its economy; today, farming, ranching, and mineral resources are
important to the area, and its rural character and proximity to
Houston have made it an attractive destination for new residents;
additionally, opportunities abound for hunting and fishing, and the
region's natural beauty and wildlife can be experienced at the Katy
Prairie, a coastal grassland area that is a haven for
bird-watchers; and
WHEREAS, Hempstead is the county seat and the host of the
annual Waller County Fair and its summertime Watermelon Festival, a
favorite of residents and visitors alike; Prairie View, recognized
as an ideal place to live, learn, and raise a family, is home to
Prairie View A&M University, the second-oldest public institution
of higher learning in the state, and Brookshire is a quaint rural
town that is the location of the Brookwood Community as well as
several international companies that serve as major employers;
while only parts of Waller and Katy are in the county, they are both
fast-growing cities that boast excellent schools and contribute
greatly to the culture and prosperity of the area; and
WHEREAS, Honoring their rich heritage as they work toward
building an even brighter future, the citizens of Waller County
have many reasons to be proud of the place they call home; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize February 3, 2015, as Waller County Day
at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere
best wishes for an enjoyable stay in Austin.
Bell
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 272 was adopted by the House on
February 3, 2015, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House