85R12367 KSM-D By: Metcalf H.R. No. 561 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, Citizens and business leaders of Montgomery County are gathering in Austin on March 7, 2017, to celebrate Montgomery County Day at the State Capitol; and WHEREAS, Situated at the southern edge of the Piney Woods of East Texas, Montgomery County was established by the Congress of the Republic of Texas in 1837; the county is officially acknowledged as the Birthplace of the Lone Star Flag because the design presented by resident Dr. Charles B. Stewart was adopted by the Texas Congress in 1839 and has remained the banner of the state since it joined the Union in 1845; and WHEREAS, The arrival of the railroads in the 1870s and 1880s sparked a lumber boom that revived Montgomery County's agricultural economy after the Civil War; Houston lumberman Isaac Conroe established a sawmill at a railroad junction near Stewarts Creek in 1881, and the town of Conroe that grew up around the mill was named the county seat eight years later; in 1931, the discovery of oil triggered yet another financial upsurge in the area, and today, oil production, the lumber industry, and ranching further the county's prosperity; and WHEREAS, Visitors from across the state are drawn to the region's vibrant historical and cultural establishments, and outdoor enthusiasts enjoy the recreational opportunities at Sam Houston National Forest, W. Goodrich Jones State Forest, and Lake Conroe Park; additionally, The Woodlands, a master-planned community, is home to the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, a major concert venue as well as the summer residence of the Houston Symphony; and WHEREAS, This visit to the State Capitol was organized by the Conroe/Lake Conroe, Woodlands Area, Greater Magnolia Parkway, Greater East Montgomery County, and Montgomery Area Chambers of Commerce; members of each association work to improve and strengthen economic development and the quality of life throughout Montgomery County, which, with a current population of more than half a million people, is one of the fastest growing counties in the nation; and WHEREAS, The people of Montgomery County take great pride in their rich history as they work to build an even brighter future, and it is indeed fitting to honor them and their unique contributions to the story of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature hereby recognize March 7, 2017, as Montgomery County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere best wishes for a meaningful and memorable stay in Austin.