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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Proud residents of Columbus are celebrating their |
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city's bicentennial with a year of events from July 2022 through May |
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2023; and |
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WHEREAS, Located south and west of a horseshoe bend in the |
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Colorado River, Columbus traces its origins to 1821, when members |
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of Stephen F. Austin's Old Three Hundred began settling at the |
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former site of Montezuma, a legendary Native American village; by |
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1823, a small community, known as Beeson's Ferry or Beeson's Ford, |
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had developed, and it was renamed Columbus in 1835; the town became |
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the seat of local government in 1822, and it was designated the |
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county seat when Colorado County was established in 1836; and |
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WHEREAS, Although Columbus was first incorporated in 1866, |
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its citizens voted to disincorporate during the early 1900s due to |
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violence and political conflict; nonetheless, the population in the |
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area continued to grow, and the town was reincorporated in 1927; |
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over the years, its economy has benefited from a number of |
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industries, including smithies, a German cigar factory, cottonseed |
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oil mills, cotton farms, cattle ranches, and gravel pits; after |
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World War II, the city began focusing on recreational activities, |
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such as tours of its many historic buildings and properties; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, Columbus is home to nearly 3,700 Texans; |
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residents and visitors alike enjoy exploring the town's various |
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museums, viewing the bluebonnets that blanket the countryside, and |
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boating along the Colorado River; the town also hosts a number of |
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popular events throughout the year, such as the Columbus Country |
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Market, the Magnolia Days Festival, and the Colorado County Fair; |
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in addition, Columbus is known as "the city of live oaks and live |
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folks" for its many live oak trees, which include the largest |
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Quercus virginiana live oak tree in the state; other points of pride |
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include the recognition of Columbus Community Hospital as a Top 20 |
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Rural and Community Hospital in 2020 by the National Rural Health |
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Association and the dedication of historical markers at Keyser |
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Market and Potter's Western Store in 2022; and |
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WHEREAS, Celebrating their rich history as they work to build |
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an even brighter future, the people of Columbus are justifiably |
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proud of their community, and it is indeed a pleasure to honor their |
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contributions to the story of the Lone Star State on this milestone |
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occasion; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the 200th anniversary of Columbus |
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and extend to its citizens sincere best wishes for the future; and, |
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be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the city as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |