SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 128

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 Senate of the State of Texas, 88th Legislature, hereby recognize February 7, 2023, as Matagorda County Day at the State Capitol and extend a warm welcome to the visiting delegation.

Huffman

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 7, 2023.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate