R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, Many citizens of Washington County are visiting the
 1-2     Capitol on March 28, 2001, to celebrate their rich heritage and the
 1-3     role their county has played in building the Lone Star State; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Members of Stephen F. Austin's Old 300 began
 1-5     settling in the area of Washington County in 1821; in 1836, at
 1-6     Washington-on-the-Brazos, delegates signed the Texas Declaration of
 1-7     Independence and drafted a constitution for the new republic;
 1-8     later, from 1842 to 1845, this community served as the capital of
 1-9     the republic; and
1-10           WHEREAS, Washington County was created in 1836 and organized
1-11     the following year; situated on the Blackland Prairies, the region
1-12     attracted substantial immigration and developed quickly; included
1-13     in the flow of newcomers were Germans, Czechs, and Poles, who began
1-14     arriving in the mid-19th century; and
1-15           WHEREAS, The foundation of several colleges in the 1840s and
1-16     1850s, among them Baylor University and a precursor to Southwestern
1-17     University, testified to the dynamic nature of Washington County;
1-18     today Blinn College, established in 1883 in Brenham, the county
1-19     seat, carries on the county's early tradition of higher education;
1-20     and
1-21           WHEREAS, The region's natural beauty and its prominent role
1-22     in early Texas history have made Washington County a popular
1-23     tourist destination; visitors can wander its scenic country roads,
1-24     enjoy the recreation afforded by Somerville Lake, and step into the
 2-1     past at the Brenham, Burton, Chappell Hill, and Texas Baptist
 2-2     museums; the Star of the Republic Museum, in
 2-3     Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historical Park, tells the story of
 2-4     the Texas Republic; and
 2-5           WHEREAS, Other popular attractions include the Blue Bell
 2-6     Creameries, an eight-acre antique rose garden, and a miniature
 2-7     horse farm; among the many festivals are the venerable Washington
 2-8     County Fair, Burton's Cotton Gin Festival, Chappell Hill's
 2-9     Bluebonnet and Scarecrow festivals, and Brenham's Maifest; and
2-10           WHEREAS, The industrious residents of this vital Texas county
2-11     are preserving the best of their past and looking forward to the
2-12     challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, and it is indeed a
2-13     pleasure to honor them at this time; now, therefore, be it
2-14           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-15     Legislature hereby recognize March 28, 2001, as Washington County
2-16     Day at the State Capitol and extend to the delegation present on
2-17     this day sincere best wishes for an enjoyable and memorable visit.
                                                                   Kolkhorst
                                             _______________________________
                                                   Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.R. No. 619 was adopted by the House on March
         28, 2001, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House