H.R. No. 246
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, Many proud residents of Matagorda County will travel
    1-2  to Austin on February 22, 1995, to celebrate Matagorda County Day
    1-3  at the State Capitol; and
    1-4        WHEREAS, Matagorda County's colorful history dates back to
    1-5  the early days of Texas, when the rich, fertile land between the
    1-6  Colorado and Brazos rivers was included in Moses Austin's original
    1-7  land grant in 1820; after his death, Moses' son Stephen F. Austin
    1-8  continued his father's plans of establishing a settlement in this
    1-9  beautiful region along the Gulf Coast; and
   1-10        WHEREAS, Blessed with fertile soil, ample rainfall, and a
   1-11  mild climate, Matagorda County attracted hundreds of settlers eager
   1-12  to tame this new frontier; the wide open prairies offered plenty of
   1-13  land for farming and ranching, while the hardwood forests bordering
   1-14  the region's waterways provided pioneer families with an abundant
   1-15  supply of wood for building and for fuel; and
   1-16        WHEREAS, Cotton and sugar quickly became the dominant crops,
   1-17  but in later years the county expanded its agricultural economy to
   1-18  include rice, corn, soy beans, milo, and other grains; and
   1-19        WHEREAS, Settlers flocked to this thriving new community, and
   1-20  Stephen F. Austin's vision of a prosperous and successful Texas
   1-21  settlement became a reality; beginning in 1898, the railroad system
   1-22  expanded throughout the region, bringing supplies and more settlers
   1-23  to the Gulf Coast and spurring a dynamic period of growth and
   1-24  development as enterprising individuals founded cities such as
    2-1  Palacios, Blessing, Markham, Van Vleck, and Wadsworth along the new
    2-2  rail lines; and
    2-3        WHEREAS, Since that time, a diverse economy encompassing
    2-4  petrochemicals, plastics, and oil and gas, as well as agriculture,
    2-5  has sustained the growth of this outstanding county, which
    2-6  currently boasts a population of nearly 37,000 people; despite this
    2-7  economic growth, Matagorda County has retained its charm and grace,
    2-8  and many tourists flock to this area each year to enjoy its wide
    2-9  variety of recreational activities; and
   2-10        WHEREAS, This picturesque seaside community offers numerous
   2-11  opportunities for boating, sailing, fishing, and water skiing,
   2-12  while cities such as Palacios and Bay City provide a variety of
   2-13  other entertainment options, including a golf course, museums, a
   2-14  convention center, a sports complex, and numerous points of
   2-15  historical interest; and
   2-16        WHEREAS, Throughout the year, visitors and residents alike
   2-17  are treated to a vast array of festivals and celebrations, thanks
   2-18  to the dedicated efforts of the county's many fine civic
   2-19  organizations; the Matagorda County Rodeo, Christmas Parade of
   2-20  Lights, Shrimporee and Blessing of the Fleet, Bayfest, the Rice
   2-21  Festival, and Market Days have become renowned throughout the Lone
   2-22  Star State for the fun and fellowship they provide, and the fine
   2-23  people of Matagorda County deserve much praise for making each of
   2-24  these events memorable and special; and
   2-25        WHEREAS, Bay City, the county seat, celebrated its centennial
   2-26  year in 1994 with many special events; Governor Ann Richards gave
   2-27  the address at the kick-off luncheon in January, and a series of
    3-1  outstanding events each month closed in September with a great
    3-2  fireworks display and a Festival of Faith Sunday in which all the
    3-3  churches came together in an inspiring vesper service on the
    3-4  courthouse square; and
    3-5        WHEREAS, The residents of Matagorda County can take
    3-6  justifiable pride in their community's heritage and should look
    3-7  forward to the future with great anticipation; this unique county
    3-8  and its exceptional citizens have played a significant role in
    3-9  Texas' development, and their many contributions to the Lone Star
   3-10  State are truly deserving of a special legislative salute; now,
   3-11  therefore, be it
   3-12        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
   3-13  Legislature hereby recognize February 22, 1995, as Matagorda County
   3-14  Day at the Capitol and join the citizens of Matagorda County in
   3-15  paying tribute to one of Texas' finest counties; and, be it further
   3-16        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   3-17  prepared for the people of Matagorda County as a commemoration of
   3-18  this grand occasion and as an expression of high regard by the
   3-19  Texas House of Representatives.