By:  Brown, Patterson                            S.R. No. 474
    1-1                           SENATE RESOLUTION
    1-2        WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pleasure
    1-3  in joining with the residents of Brazoria County in declaring
    1-4  Tuesday, March 23, 1993, as Brazoria County Day; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, Brazoria County's roots can be traced to
    1-6  1821 when that area of the Brazos River Valley was settled
    1-7  by Stephen F. Austin colonists; and
    1-8        WHEREAS, Prior to its colonization, the region was
    1-9  inhabited by the Karankawas and was visited by Cabeza de Vaca
   1-10  when he landed on what is now Brazoria County shores in 1528;
   1-11  and
   1-12        WHEREAS, Essential business of the Republic of Texas was
   1-13  conducted in the county when Columbia served as the site of the
   1-14  first capital of Texas, and during the 1840s many prominent
   1-15  plantations were established; and
   1-16        WHEREAS, Rich in history, Brazoria County was created
   1-17  in 1836 and continues today to be one of the most attractive
   1-18  counties in Texas in which to live; and
   1-19        WHEREAS, Oil production began in Brazoria County in 1902
   1-20  and Stratton Ridge Dome caused the county to rank first in the
   1-21  United States in the production of sulphur; a gin for processing
   1-22  live oak moss was established at Angleton and a food canning
   1-23  factory at Alvin; and
    2-1        WHEREAS, Over the years, industrial development and
    2-2  population growth in the county have been managed with care
    2-3  in order to preserve natural habitats and historical sites; and
    2-4        WHEREAS, The county is blessed with a wealth of natural
    2-5  resources and a bountiful harvest of crops and fish; it is
    2-6  comprised of coastal soils, rivers and inland marshes, and
    2-7  20 miles of natural beach; and
    2-8        WHEREAS, The Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge is an
    2-9  11,000-acre refuge on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and serves
   2-10  as a nesting area for mottled ducks and as the wintering grounds
   2-11  for snow geese; and
   2-12        WHEREAS, On April 4, 1992, the Brazoria County Historical
   2-13  Museum presented A Salute to Brazoria County History Festival to
   2-14  celebrate the county's colorful history; and
   2-15        WHEREAS, The festival provided an excellent opportunity to
   2-16  educate the public and to promote awareness of the continued need
   2-17  to commemorate and to preserve the heritage of Brazoria County; and
   2-18        WHEREAS, Brazoria County Day in Austin is an annual event
   2-19  anticipated by the members of the Texas Senate; the day brings
   2-20  together old friends and families who gather in celebration of
   2-21  Brazoria County's past and its many assets today which are enjoyed
   2-22  by residents and vacationers of all ages; now, therefore, be it
   2-23        RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
   2-24  73rd Legislature, hereby express appreciation to the people
   2-25  of Brazoria County for the preservation of the county's history
    3-1  and natural amenities and extend best wishes to them for a joyous
    3-2  Brazoria County Day; and, be it further
    3-3        RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
    3-4  the residents of Brazoria County as a token of esteem from the
    3-5  Texas Senate.
    3-6                                 _____________________________________
    3-7                                        President of the Senate
    3-8                                      I hereby certify that the
    3-9                                 above Resolution was adopted by
   3-10                                 the Senate on March 23, 1993.
   3-11                                 _____________________________________
   3-12                                        Secretary of the Senate
   3-13                                 _____________________________________
   3-14                                         Member, Texas Senate
   3-15                                 _____________________________________
   3-16                                         Member, Texas Senate