By Kolkhorst H.R. No. 619 77R11170 PCM-D 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.