1-1                                     1                                  
 1-2                           SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 8
 1-3           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pleasure
 1-4     in joining the residents of Chambers County in declaring Tuesday,
 1-5     February 6, 2001, as Chambers County Day at the Capitol; and
 1-6           WHEREAS, Chambers County's roots can be traced to 1858
 1-7     when the area was carved out of parts of Liberty and Jefferson
 1-8     counties and was named for a prominent local politician,
 1-9     Thomas Jefferson Chambers; and
1-10           WHEREAS, Bounded on the south and southwest by Galveston Bay
1-11     and the Gulf of Mexico, Chambers County was first peopled by the
1-12     Karankawa, Coapite, and Copane tribes; settlement in the area began
1-13     in 1821 when the Spanish established a fortress at Anahuac and
1-14     invited Americans to enter; and
1-15           WHEREAS, Anahuac became the principal port of entry, and
1-16     cattle raising was introduced by James Taylor White, who brought
1-17     a herd of Longhorns to Turtle Bayou in 1827; after the county was
1-18     organized, Wallisville became the first county seat; following the
1-19     filing of a suit, Anahuac became the county seat in 1908; and
1-20           WHEREAS, Chambers County is 618 square miles and is
1-21     blessed with a wealth of natural resources; its principal crop is
 2-1     rice; other crops include corn, feed grains, citrus fruits, and
 2-2     vegetables; oil is one of its chief resources, and gas and sulphur
 2-3     are present in commercial quantities; and
 2-4           WHEREAS, Over the years industrial development and
 2-5     population growth in the county have been managed with care in
 2-6     order to preserve natural habitats and historical sites; and
 2-7           WHEREAS, The county is home to the famous Anahuac National
 2-8     Wildlife Refuge, a 24,356-acre marshland where more than 40 species
 2-9     of birds nest and where the threatened American alligator can be
2-10     found; and
2-11           WHEREAS, In addition to the refuge, the county boasts
2-12     295 square miles of water that attracts fishermen and boating
2-13     enthusiasts, and with its rich history, antique shops, and
2-14     numerous annual events, the county continues to be one of the
2-15     most attractive areas in our state in which to live; and
2-16           WHEREAS, Chambers County is to be commended for its
2-17     important role in Texas history, its abundant natural resources,
2-18     and the positive role it plays in the state's current economy;
2-19     now, therefore, be it
2-20           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
2-21     77th Legislature, hereby express appreciation to the people of
2-22     Chambers County for the preservation of the county's history and
2-23     natural amenities and extend best wishes to them for a joyous
 3-1     Chambers County Day; and, be it further
 3-2           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
 3-3     the residents of Chambers County as a token of esteem from the
 3-4     Texas Senate.
 3-5                                                                 Bernsen
 3-6                                  ______________________________________
 3-7                                          President of the Senate
 3-8                                       I hereby certify that the above
 3-9                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
3-10                                  on January 16, 2001.
3-11                                  ______________________________________
3-12                                          Secretary of the Senate
3-13                                  ______________________________________
3-14                                           Member, Texas Senate