89R12192 BK-D
By: Huffman S.R. No. 238
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Residents of Matagorda County are gathering in
Austin on March 18, 2025, to celebrate Matagorda County Day at the
State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, Matagorda County, one of the oldest counties in
Texas, derives its name from the Spanish term for "thick brush,"
referencing 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
major metropolitan area while preserving the quiet lifestyle of a
rural South Texas community; and
WHEREAS, Bay City, the county seat of Matagorda County, is
often 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" since the time of
Stephen F. Austin; although located 25 miles from the Gulf of
Mexico, the Port of Bay City was constructed in the 1960s to connect
the city to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway via the Colorado River,
and it proudly serves both the industrial and recreational needs of
the county; and
WHEREAS, Matagorda County is known for its abundant wildlife,
diverse geography, and rich natural resources; the county is
believed to be home to more species of birds than anywhere else in
the country during certain times of the year; its marshes, coastal
prairies, rivers, and forests provide outstanding birding
opportunities, with three Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail loops
encompassing 17 observation sites; the Matagorda County Birding
Nature Center and LCRA Matagorda Bay Nature Park are ideal places to
learn about birds, gardening, wildlife, and native plants; in
addition to its avian attractions, the county's bays are teeming
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, The county's economy is driven by ranching, farming,
and petroleum, with additional economic strength provided by the
South Texas Project; the county is also home to international
companies such as Tenaris Bay City, OQ Chemicals Corporation, and
LyondellBasell, and it has recently welcomed HIF USA, Air Liquide,
and Roehm America LLC to the area; moreover, Matagorda County is
seeing significant growth in residential development, with over 800
housing starts, as well as an influx of new retail outlets and
restaurants; 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 Senate of the 89th Texas Legislature
hereby recognize March 18, 2025, as Matagorda County Day at the
State Capitol and extend a warm welcome to the visiting delegation.