By Uher                                                  H.R. No. 8
         76R3851 WMS-F                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, Many proud residents of Matagorda County will be in
 1-2     Austin on February 23, 1999, to celebrate Matagorda County Day at
 1-3     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, soybeans, 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 more than 38,000 people; despite
 2-7     this economic growth, Matagorda County has retained its charm and
 2-8     grace, and many tourists flock to this area each year to enjoy its
 2-9     wide variety of recreational activities; and
2-10           WHEREAS, This picturesque seaside community offers numerous
2-11     opportunities for boating, sailing, fishing, and waterskiing, while
2-12     cities such as Palacios and the county seat of Bay City, which
2-13     celebrated its centennial in 1994, provide a variety of other
2-14     entertainment options, including a golf course, museums, a
2-15     convention center, a sports complex, and numerous points of
2-16     historical interest; and
2-17           WHEREAS, Throughout the year, visitors and residents alike
2-18     are treated to a vast array of festivals and celebrations, thanks
2-19     to the dedicated efforts of the county's many fine civic
2-20     organizations; the Matagorda County Rodeo, the Christmas Parade of
2-21     Lights, the Shrimporee and Blessing of the Fleet, Bayfest, the Rice
2-22     Festival, and Market Days have become renowned throughout the Lone
2-23     Star State for the fun and fellowship they provide, and the fine
2-24     people of Matagorda County deserve much praise for making each of
2-25     these events memorable and special; and
2-26           WHEREAS, The residents of Matagorda County can take
2-27     justifiable pride in their community's heritage and should look
 3-1     forward to the future with great anticipation; this unique county
 3-2     and its exceptional citizens have played a significant role in
 3-3     Texas' development, and their many contributions to the Lone Star
 3-4     State are truly deserving of a special legislative salute; now,
 3-5     therefore, be it
 3-6           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
 3-7     Legislature hereby recognize February 23, 1999, as Matagorda County
 3-8     Day at the Capitol and join the citizens of Matagorda County in
 3-9     paying tribute to one of Texas' finest counties; and, be it further
3-10           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-11     prepared for the people of Matagorda County as a commemoration of
3-12     this grand occasion and as an expression of high regard by the
3-13     Texas House of Representatives.