78R4466 MW-D

By:  Dawson                                                       H.R. No. 179



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Many proud residents of Matagorda County will be in 
Austin on February 11, 2003, to celebrate Matagorda County Day at 
the State Capitol; and
	WHEREAS, Matagorda County's colorful history dates back to 
the early days of Texas, when the rich, fertile land between the 
Colorado and Brazos rivers was included in Moses Austin's original 
land grant in 1820; after his death, Moses' son, Stephen F. Austin, 
continued his father's plans of establishing a settlement in this 
beautiful region along the Gulf Coast; and
	WHEREAS, Blessed with fertile soil, ample rainfall, and a 
mild climate, Matagorda County attracted hundreds of settlers eager 
to tame this new frontier; the wide open prairies offered plenty of 
land for farming and ranching, while the hardwood forests bordering 
the region's waterways provided pioneer families with an abundant 
supply of wood for building and for fuel; and
	WHEREAS, Cotton and sugar quickly became the dominant crops, 
but in later years the county expanded its agricultural economy to 
include rice, corn, soy beans, milo, and other grains; and
	WHEREAS, Settlers flocked to this thriving new community, and 
Stephen F. Austin's vision of a prosperous and successful Texas 
settlement became a reality; beginning in 1898, the railroad system 
expanded throughout the region, bringing supplies and more settlers 
to the Gulf Coast and spurring a dynamic period of growth and 
development as enterprising individuals founded cities such as 
Palacios, Blessing, Markham, Van Vleck, and Wadsworth along the new 
rail lines; and
	WHEREAS, Since that time, a diverse economy encompassing 
petrochemicals, plastics, and oil and gas, as well as agriculture, 
has sustained the growth of the county, which currently boasts a 
population of more than 37,000; and
	WHEREAS, Matagorda County offers numerous opportunities for 
boating, sailing, fishing, and water skiing, and throughout the 
year, visitors and residents alike are treated to a vast array of 
festivals and celebrations; residents and civic organizations 
deserve much praise for the success of the Matagorda County Rodeo, 
the Christmas Parade of Lights, the Shrimporee and Blessing of the 
Fleet, Bayfest, the Rice Festival, and Market Days; and
	WHEREAS, The residents of Matagorda County take justifiable 
pride in their community's heritage and can look to the future with 
great anticipation; this unique county and its citizens have played 
a significant role in Texas' development, and their many 
contributions to the Lone Star State are truly deserving of a 
special legislative salute; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby recognize February 11, 2003, as Matagorda County 
Day at the Capitol and extend to its citizens sincere best wishes 
for an enjoyable visit to Austin.