H.C.R. No. 191
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1-1 WHEREAS, On May 3, 1995, Washington County Day will be
1-2 celebrated by the proud citizens of that illustrious county in
1-3 recognition of the area's many significant contributions to the
1-4 State of Texas; and
1-5 WHEREAS, Located in southeast Central Texas, Washington
1-6 County has an area of 611 square miles drained principally by the
1-7 Brazos River, and its picturesque level-to-rolling terrain includes
1-8 the prairie and post oak belts; and
1-9 WHEREAS, The county was created in 1836 and organized the
1-10 following year and is renowned as the location of
1-11 Washington-on-the-Brazos, which was established in 1834 near the
1-12 location of a ferry that had been continuously operated on the
1-13 Brazos River since 1822; a "must see" for Texas history buffs,
1-14 Washington-on-the-Brazos achieved prominence during the Texas
1-15 Revolution as the site of the signing of the Texas Declaration of
1-16 Independence and the drafting of the constitution of the newly born
1-17 Republic of Texas; and
1-18 WHEREAS, Modern-day Washington County boasts a thriving
1-19 economy based primarily on the production of cattle, hogs, horses,
1-20 dairy products, poultry, hay, cotton, and horticultural plants, as
1-21 well as a flourishing tourism industry; and
1-22 WHEREAS, The county seat of Brenham is home to the celebrated
1-23 Blue Bell Creameries, whose ice cream and other dairy products have
1-24 delighted Texans for generations, and the city also is the location
2-1 of Blinn Junior College; and
2-2 WHEREAS, Washington County has many stellar attractions to
2-3 offer both tourists and residents alike; Somerville Lake provides
2-4 some of the finest hunting and fishing to be found in the state
2-5 today, and colorful bluebonnet trails dot the highways and byways
2-6 during the springtime; and
2-7 WHEREAS, A number of the state's most unique and enjoyable
2-8 festivals also take place in Washington County; the Washington
2-9 County Fair is the oldest such event in the state and the town of
2-10 Chappell Hill hosts the popular Bluebonnet Festival in the spring
2-11 and the family-oriented Scarecrow Festival each fall; and
2-12 WHEREAS, Other notable celebrations occurring in Washington
2-13 County include the Burton Cotton Gin Festival and Brenham's Maifest
2-14 Days, a gala annual event that honors the area's proud German
2-15 heritage; and
2-16 WHEREAS, Washington County has long been regarded as a hotbed
2-17 of athletic excellence in the sport of baseball and the exceptional
2-18 success of local players has inspired many other area athletes into
2-19 taking up the bat and glove; and
2-20 WHEREAS, Adding to the rich cultural heritage of the area are
2-21 Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park, the Texas Baptist Historical
2-22 Museum, the Star of the Republic Museum, as well as many other
2-23 notable historic sites; and
2-24 WHEREAS, Preeminent among the county's finest assets,
2-25 however, are its friendly and hospitable citizens, who have gone to
2-26 great lengths to make this lovely region a county that they are
2-27 proud to call home; and
3-1 WHEREAS, Renowned for Blue Bell, baseball, and bluebonnets,
3-2 Washington County is truly one of the state's most outstanding
3-3 counties, and the efforts of its residents in preserving its unique
3-4 beauty and heritage truly merit special praise and recognition;
3-5 now, therefore, be it
3-6 RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas
3-7 hereby recognize May 3, 1995, as Washington County Day and offer
3-8 sincere best wishes to the county's fine citizens for a memorable
3-9 and joyous celebration; and, be it further
3-10 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-11 prepared for Washington County as a memento of this special day.