By Howard                                              H.R. No. 305
         77R6953 JKB-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to join
 1-2     the fine citizens of Fort Bend County in recognizing February 21,
 1-3     2001, as Fort Bend County Day at the State Capitol; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Named for an early frontier outpost near a bend in
 1-5     the Brazos River, Fort Bend County was established in 1837, when
 1-6     its rolling hills and riverbanks were home to the Old Three
 1-7     Hundred, Stephen F. Austin's first colony of settlers; the area's
 1-8     rich natural beauty has led the county to become a common
 1-9     destination for fishermen and hunters as well as a weekend getaway
1-10     for nearby Houston residents; and
1-11           WHEREAS,  Recent years have brought tremendous development to
1-12     Fort Bend County, and according to the U.S. Department of Commerce,
1-13     it is in the top one percent of fast-growing counties in the
1-14     nation; the county was ranked among the best places in the country
1-15     for manufacturing by the National Association of Corporate Real
1-16     Estate Executives and currently creates new manufacturing jobs at a
1-17     rate of three times the state average; and
1-18           WHEREAS, This remarkable expansion has led to a surge in
1-19     population in the county, and the University of Houston's Center
1-20     for Public Policy Institute for Regional Forecasting has indicated
1-21     further increases, with predictions for the current population to
1-22     more than double by the year 2020; and
1-23           WHEREAS, In addition to these recent advances, the residents
1-24     of Fort Bend county have cultivated an award-winning school system
 2-1     and a substantial farming industry; the area also hosts several
 2-2     historic sites, museums, and memorials and is home to Brazos Bend
 2-3     State Park and George Observatory; and
 2-4           WHEREAS, The people of Fort Bend County can take great pride
 2-5     in their community's unique heritage and noteworthy progress, and
 2-6     it is a privilege to join in celebrating this fine county and its
 2-7     residents at this time; now, therefore, be it
 2-8           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
 2-9     Legislature recognize February 21, 2001, as Fort Bend County Day at
2-10     the State Capitol and extend sincere best wishes for an enjoyable
2-11     and memorable visit; and, be it further
2-12           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-13     prepared for the residents of Fort Bend County as an expression of
2-14     high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.