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.