R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, On April 14, 1999, 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 rolling terrain includes the
1-8 prairie and post oak belts; and
1-9 WHEREAS, The county, revered as the "Birthplace of Texas,"
1-10 was created in 1836 and organized the following year and is
1-11 renowned as the location of Washington-on-the-Brazos, which was
1-12 established in 1834 near the location of a ferry that had been
1-13 continuously operated on the Brazos River since 1822; a "must see"
1-14 for Texas history buffs, Washington-on-the-Brazos achieved
1-15 prominence during the Texas Revolution as the site of the signing
1-16 of the Texas Declaration of Independence and the drafting of the
1-17 constitution of the newly born Republic of Texas; and
1-18 WHEREAS, Modern-day Washington County boasts a thriving
1-19 economy based primarily on manufacturing, agriculture, and
1-20 agribusiness, as well as a flourishing tourism industry; and
1-21 WHEREAS, The county seat of Brenham is home to the celebrated
1-22 Blue Bell Creameries, whose ice cream has delighted Texans for
1-23 generations, and Blinn Junior College, home of the back-to-back
1-24 National Football Championship team the Buccaneers; and
2-1 WHEREAS, Washington County has many stellar attractions to
2-2 offer both tourists and residents alike; Somerville Lake provides
2-3 some of the finest hunting and fishing to be found in the state
2-4 today, and colorful bluebonnet trails dot the highways and byways
2-5 during the springtime; and
2-6 WHEREAS, A number of the state's most unique and enjoyable
2-7 festivals also take place in Washington County; the Washington
2-8 County Fair is the oldest county fair in Texas and the town of
2-9 Chappell Hill hosts the popular Bluebonnet Festival in the spring
2-10 and Scarecrow Festival each fall; and
2-11 WHEREAS, Other notable celebrations occurring in Washington
2-12 County include the Burton Cotton Gin Festival and Brenham's
2-13 Maifest, an annual event honoring the area's proud German heritage;
2-14 and
2-15 WHEREAS, Washington County has long been regarded as a hotbed
2-16 of athletic excellence in the sport of baseball and the exceptional
2-17 success of local players has inspired many other area athletes into
2-18 taking up the bat and glove; and
2-19 WHEREAS, Adding to the rich cultural heritage of the area are
2-20 Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park, the Burton Cotton Gin and
2-21 Museum, the Texas Baptist Historical Museum, the Star of the
2-22 Republic Museum, Brenham Heritage Museum, as well as many other
2-23 notable historic sites; and
2-24 WHEREAS, Preeminent among the county's finest assets are its
2-25 friendly and hospitable citizens, who have gone to great lengths to
2-26 make this lovely region a county that they are proud to call home;
2-27 and
3-1 WHEREAS, Renowned for Blue Bell, baseball, bluebonnets, bed
3-2 and breakfasts, and the Birthplace of Texas, Washington County is
3-3 truly one of the state's most outstanding counties, and the efforts
3-4 of its residents in preserving its unique beauty and heritage truly
3-5 merit special praise and recognition; now, therefore, be it
3-6 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
3-7 Legislature hereby designate April 14, 1999, as Washington County
3-8 Day and offer sincere best wishes to the county's fine citizens for
3-9 a memorable 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.
Jones of Brazos
_______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 586 was adopted by the House on April
14, 1999, by a non-record vote.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House