88R9458 CJM-D
By: Morrison H.R. No. 76
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Residents of Matagorda County are gathering in
Austin on February 7, 2023, to celebrate Matagorda County Day at the
State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, One of the oldest counties in Texas, Matagorda
County derives its name from the Spanish word for "thick brush," in
reference to the canebrakes that once lined its shores along the
Gulf Coast; located between Galveston and Corpus Christi, 72 miles
southwest of Houston, the county offers residents easy access to a
large metropolitan city while providing the quiet lifestyle of a
rural South Texas community; and
WHEREAS, Noted for its abundant wildlife, Matagorda County is
thought to have more species of birds than anywhere else in the
country during certain times of the year; its diverse geography,
from marshes and coastal prairies to rivers and forests, affords
outstanding birding opportunities; the Matagorda County Birding
Nature Center is an ideal place to learn about birds, gardening,
wildlife, and native plants, and three Great Texas Coastal Birding
Trail loops encompass 17 observation sites; moreover, the county's
bays are filled with redfish, flounder, trout, crab, oysters, and
shrimp, and the Port of Palacios is one of the largest shrimping
ports in Texas, home to more than 125 shrimp boats; and
WHEREAS, Ranching, farming, and petroleum remain important
economic resources in Matagorda County, which further benefits from
the presence of the South Texas Project; moreover, the county is the
home of international companies TenarisBayCity, OQ Chemicals
Corporation, and LyondellBasell, and has recently welcomed HIF USA,
Air Liquide, and Röhm America LLC to the area; the county also
boasts several prospective residential developments, totaling over
800 housing starts, as well as many new retail outlets and
restaurants; and
WHEREAS, Bay City, the county seat of Matagorda County, has
been called the "Gateway to the Great Outdoors"; founded in 1894,
the city was named for its location in the center of a vast coastal
prairie, which has been known as "Bay Prairie" from the time of
Stephen F. Austin; although the city is 25 miles from the Gulf of
Mexico, a port was constructed in the 1960s to link it to the Gulf
Intracoastal Waterway via the Colorado River; and
WHEREAS, Matagorda County is blessed with a rich history and
abundant natural resources, and its residents may take great pride
in their county's legacy and bright future; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize February 7, 2023, as Matagorda County
Day at the State Capitol and extend a warm welcome to the visiting
delegation.