SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 20
WHEREAS, Proud residents of Waller County are gathering in
Austin on January 22, 2019, 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 Senate of the State of Texas, 86th
Legislature, hereby recognize January 22, 2019, as Waller County
Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation
sincere best wishes for an enjoyable stay in Austin.
Kolkhorst
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on January 22, 2019.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate