By Harris, Uher H.R. No. 454
74R7908 PFG-D
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, Brazoria County is the home of many outstanding
1-2 Texans who take pride in their county's rich contributions to the
1-3 culture, history, and economy of our state and who look to the
1-4 future with a spirit of hope and optimism; and
1-5 WHEREAS, Early Texans flocked to this fertile region on the
1-6 upper Gulf Coast lured by the rich alluvial soils found along the
1-7 banks of the San Bernard River, Oyster Creek, Chocolate Bayou, and
1-8 the Brazos River, for which the county was named; and
1-9 WHEREAS, Recognizing the area's vast potential, Stephen F.
1-10 Austin and his colonists chose the site for settlement in 1821; the
1-11 colony figured prominently in the Texas Revolution as the site of
1-12 the Battle of Velasco and served briefly as the location of the
1-13 capitol of the Republic of Texas before the county's official
1-14 organization in 1836; and
1-15 WHEREAS, Brazoria County quickly became the wealthiest county
1-16 in Texas, producing bountiful crops of rice, sugar, and cotton;
1-17 agriculture, particularly rice cultivation, remains a vital part of
1-18 the county's diverse economy today, which also prospers from
1-19 ranching, mining, and commercial fishing, and from the promising
1-20 new aquaculture industry; and
1-21 WHEREAS, When oil production began in 1902, the county
1-22 ushered in an exciting new avenue for economic prosperity that
1-23 placed it among the top oil and gas producers in the state and gave
1-24 rise to a flourishing petroleum and chemical industry that has
2-1 since become a major employer in the region; population in the
2-2 county has expanded with the economy, growing steadily through the
2-3 years to reach its current level of nearly 200,000 residents; and
2-4 WHEREAS, Citizens of Brazoria County are justifiably proud of
2-5 the outstanding educational opportunities available to area
2-6 residents at Brazosport College and Alvin Community College and
2-7 have endeavored to preserve their local heritage with large county
2-8 fairs in Angleton, the county seat, and in Alvin, the home of
2-9 baseball pitcher Nolan Ryan and the site of such lively events as
2-10 Crawfest; and
2-11 WHEREAS, Largely as a result of these efforts, the county
2-12 enjoys a booming tourist economy and attracts visitors from across
2-13 the state and nation who come to the area to experience the
2-14 unspoiled wilderness preserved within the Brazoria and San Bernard
2-15 national wildlife refuges, which boast some of the best
2-16 birdwatching in the nation, as well as to enjoy the natural
2-17 splendor of the miles of undeveloped beach and extensive marsh and
2-18 prairie land; and
2-19 WHEREAS, Visitors and residents alike can pay a visit to the
2-20 county's colorful past with a trip through the plantation home of
2-21 Texas Governor James Stephen Hogg at the Varner-Hogg Plantation
2-22 State Historical Park, and also can tour a replica of the first
2-23 capitol of the Republic of Texas in the historic town of West
2-24 Columbia, where the popular San Jacinto Festival is held; and
2-25 WHEREAS, The citizens of Brazoria County have played a major
2-26 role in the development of the Lone Star State and have created an
2-27 ideal environment in which to live, work, and play; it is indeed a
3-1 great pleasure to join with our fellow Texans in saluting this
3-2 extraordinary county at this time; now, therefore, be it
3-3 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
3-4 Legislature hereby recognize March 28, 1995, as Brazoria County Day
3-5 at the State Capitol and commend the county's citizens for their
3-6 many significant contributions to our state.