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 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 489
 1-3           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
 1-4     join the residents of Brazoria County in declaring Tuesday,
 1-5     March 20, 2001, as Brazoria County Day; and
 1-6           WHEREAS, Brazoria County's roots can be traced to 1821
 1-7     when that area of the Brazos River Valley was settled by
 1-8     Stephen F. Austin's colonists; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, Rich in history, Brazoria County was created in
1-10     1836, and the area was the site of numerous events preceding
1-11     and following the Texas Revolution; it was in Brazoria County
1-12     that Santa Anna signed the Treaties of Velasco, effectively
1-13     granting Texas its independence and leading to the consolidation
1-14     of the continental empire of the United States; the first
1-15     permanent capital of the Republic of Texas was established at
1-16     Columbia in October of 1836; and
1-17           WHEREAS, Oil production began in Brazoria County in 1902,
1-18     and Stratton Ridge Dome caused the county to rank first in the
1-19     United States in the production of sulphur; the county became
1-20     an extensive petroleum producer and a leader in the chemical
1-21     industry, and today, the county is home to the largest chemical
1-22     complex in the world; and
1-23           WHEREAS, The county is blessed with a wealth of natural
1-24     resources, a deepwater seaport, and a bountiful harvest of
 2-1     crops and fish; it is comprised of coastal soils, rivers and
 2-2     inland marshes, and 20 miles of natural beach; throughout the
 2-3     county, there are giant groves of oak, elm, cottonwood, and
 2-4     pecan trees; and
 2-5           WHEREAS, Brazoria County is host to the annual
 2-6     Brazoria County Fair, the largest county fair in the state;
 2-7     it is the location of Sea Center Texas and the Brazoria County
 2-8     Historical Museum, which contains the national award-winning
 2-9     Austin Colony exhibit; and
2-10           WHEREAS, Brazoria County Day brings together old friends
2-11     and families who gather in celebration of Brazoria County's
2-12     past and its many assets today which are enjoyed by residents
2-13     and vacationers of all ages; now, therefore, be it
2-14           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
2-15     77th Legislature, hereby express appreciation to the people of
2-16     Brazoria County for their preservation of the county's natural
2-17     amenities and for its many contributions to our state and extend
2-18     best wishes to them for a joyous Brazoria County Day; and, be it
2-19     further
2-20           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
2-21     the residents of Brazoria County as a memento of this occasion.
2-22                                                                   Brown
2-23                                  ______________________________________
2-24                                          President of the Senate
2-25                                       I hereby certify that the above
2-26                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
2-27                                  on March 19, 2001.
2-28                                  ______________________________________
2-29                                          Secretary of the Senate
 3-1                                  ______________________________________
 3-2                                           Member, Texas Senate