SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 192
WHEREAS, Proud residents of Bee County are gathering at the
State Capitol to celebrate Bee County Day on February 14, 2017; and
WHEREAS, Artifacts indicate that the Bee County region was
originally inhabited 6,000 to 10,000 years ago; the first
permanent European settlers arrived in the early 19th century,
and 11 area landowners were among the signers of the Texas
Declaration of Independence; and
WHEREAS, Bee County was officially organized on January
25, 1858, and was named for Barnard E. Bee Sr., a South Carolina
attorney, soldier, and statesman who joined the army of the
Republic of Texas and later served as secretary of war under Sam
Houston; and
WHEREAS, Located in the South Texas Plains vegetation
region, the county covers 866 square miles that slope gently
toward the Gulf Coast; with the region's open expanses of
grasslands, its economy is dominated by farming and ranching,
along with oil and gas operations and agribusiness; Beeville is
the county seat, and other towns in the county include Skidmore,
Blue Berry Hill, Pettus, Tuleta, Tynan, Pawnee, Normanna, and
Mineral; and
WHEREAS, Bee County is blessed with an array of cultural
and historical attractions for residents and visitors to
explore; Beeville has successfully revitalized its downtown
district and has been named a Texas Main Street City by the Texas
Historical Commission; Coastal Bend College--Beeville offers
occupational and academic classes for its students, and it has
the oldest academic educational glassblowing facility in the
state; art enthusiasts may delight in the exhibits of the
Beeville Art Museum, which is funded by the Joe Barnhart
Foundation and housed in the historic Esther Barnhart House; in
addition, visitors gather from all across Texas to celebrate the
state's rich traditions at Western Week, one of the county's
largest and longest-running festivals; and
WHEREAS, The citizens of Bee County may indeed take great
pride in their vibrant heritage as they work together to build an
even brighter future, and this special day provides a welcome
opportunity to pay tribute to the county and its people; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
Legislature, hereby recognize February 14, 2017, as Bee County
Day at the State Capitol and extend to those visiting today
sincere best wishes for an enjoyable stay in Austin.
Zaffirini
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 14, 2017.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate