84R5696 JGH-D
By: Nevárez H.R. No. 369
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Proud citizens of Brewster County are gathering at
the State Capitol today to celebrate Brewster County Day; and
WHEREAS, Located in the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas, the
striking landscape of Brewster County incorporates mountains,
desert, grasslands, and forest, which are rich with wildlife such
as pronghorn antelope, white-tail deer, bighorn sheep, mountain
lions, black bears, and coyotes; and
WHEREAS, The region was first inhabited by nomadic hunters
9,000 years ago, and people began growing crops there 1,000 years
ago; the first Spanish explorers arrived in the 16th century, but
the rugged terrain discouraged permanent settlement until after the
Civil War, when the arrival of the railroad and the presence of the
U.S. Army and the Texas Rangers enabled the rise of cattle
ranching; and
WHEREAS, Established in 1887, Brewster County is the largest
county in Texas, nearly as large as the states of Connecticut and
Rhode Island put together; the discovery of mercury in 1884 touched
off a mining boom, and by the early 20th century, the Chisos Mining
Company was producing 20 percent of the mercury in the nation; and
WHEREAS, Today, the cattle industry, education, and tourism
are essential to the county's economy and culture; situated in the
county seat of Alpine, Sul Ross State University offers students a
wide range of bachelor's and master's degree programs, as well as a
low student-to-teacher ratio; Big Bend National Park features
spectacular mountain, desert, and riverine landscapes and attracts
up to 350,000 visitors a year, and the Terlingua International
Chili Championship, which is held every November, draws competitors
from across the state and nation; and
WHEREAS, The citizens of Brewster County are justifiably
proud of their region's great natural beauty, its rich history, and
its unique place in the story of the Lone Star State; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize Brewster County Day at the State
Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere best wishes
for a meaningful and memorable stay in Austin.