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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the |
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87th Texas Legislature are pleased to recognize Brazoria County and |
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to honor its residents for the important contributions they are |
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making to the Lone Star State; and |
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WHEREAS, This section of coastal prairie along the Brazos |
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River was settled in the 1820s by members of Stephen F. Austin's Old |
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Three Hundred; Henry Smith of Brazoria served as the first |
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American-born governor of the Mexican territory of Texas and as a |
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leader of the movement for independence; the town of Columbia was |
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the capital of Texas during the first Texas Congress, and in 1836, |
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Brazoria County became one of the original counties established by |
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the new republic; and |
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WHEREAS, Farming and ranching initially constituted the |
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mainstays of the county's economy; the discovery of oil and sulfur |
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deposits in the early 20th century helped the region grow, and |
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chemical processing became increasingly important during World |
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War II and after; commercial fishing and the recreation industry |
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have helped to ensure continuing economic development; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, the numerous cities and towns of Brazoria |
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County boast excellent schools and affordable housing; visitors and |
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residents alike take great pleasure in miles of sandy beaches, bay |
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and offshore fishing, scuba diving, outstanding bird-watching, and |
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the Brazoria and San Bernard National Wildlife Refuges; the county |
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is also home to such attractions as the Varner-Hogg Plantation |
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State Historic Site, and the county seat of Angleton traditionally |
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hosts the Brazoria County Fair, one of the largest events of its |
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kind in Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, The educational opportunities available to students |
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at Alvin Community College, Brazosport College, and the University |
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of Houston-Clear Lake Pearland Campus further enhance the quality |
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of life in the county; and |
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WHEREAS, The largest chemical complex in North America, the |
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Texas Gulf Coast Regional Airport, and a flourishing health care |
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industry are among the major contributors to economic growth in the |
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county, and Port Freeport, ranked 10th in chemicals, 19th in total |
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tonnage, and 26th in containers in the United States, is one of the |
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fastest-growing ports on the Gulf Coast; and |
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WHEREAS, The people of Brazoria County take great pride in |
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their rich history as they work together to build an even brighter |
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future, and it is indeed appropriate to take this opportunity to |
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honor them; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize Brazoria County and extend to its |
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citizens sincere best wishes for the future. |