SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 449

	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes great 
pleasure in joining the citizens of Chambers County in 
celebrating Chambers County Day at the State Capitol on
April 1, 2003; and

	WHEREAS, Situated on 600 square miles of Gulf Coast plains, 
Chambers County has a long and colorful history; in 1756 the 
Spaniards erected a mission and presidio near present-day 
Wallisville to secure their control of the region, and in 1818, a 
group of French supporters of Napoleon Bonaparte established a 
short-lived colony near present-day Anahuac; later, in 1832 and 
1835, disturbances at Anahuac between Anglo settlers and Mexican 
authorities foreshadowed the Texas Revolution; and

	WHEREAS, Chambers County was created from portions of 
Liberty and Jefferson counties in 1858 and named in honor of a 
prominent local resident, General T. J. Chambers; Wallisville 
served as the county seat until 1908, when Anahuac assumed that 
role; other communities in the county today include Beach City, 
Cove, Double Bayou, Hankamer, Mont Belvieu, Oak Island,
Old River-Winfree, Smith Point, Stowell, and Winnie; and

	WHEREAS, Countless tourists are drawn to the many 
attractions and events offered by Chambers County; Anahuac, 
officially known as the Alligator Capital of Texas, hosts the Texas 
Gatorfest each September at Fort Anahuac Park, the site of early 
Texas resistance to Mexican rule; another major celebration is the 
Texas Rice Festival, which is held in Winnie in September and 
October; and

	WHEREAS, Visitors are also drawn by historic sites, 
excellent golf courses, and bountiful opportunities for birding, 
fishing, hunting, crabbing, boating, camping, and photography; 
among the standout attractions are Wallisville Heritage Park, 
Houston Raceway Park, Moody National Wildlife Refuge, and 
Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge; and

	WHEREAS, Contributing to the county's economy, in addition 
to tourism, are the petroleum industry, chemical plants, 
agribusiness, fish and oyster processing, and manufacturing; and

	WHEREAS, Situated between the Houston metroplex and the 
Golden Triangle of Beaumont-Orange-Port Arthur, Chambers County 
is able to offer its people the best of both worlds--quiet, rural 
living and convenient access to big-city amenities; and

	WHEREAS, The residents of Chambers County are justifiably 
proud of their achievements, for this noteworthy region and its 
citizens have played a significant role in the development of the 
Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it

	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
78th Legislature, hereby declare April 1, 2003, Chambers County 
Day at the State Capitol and extend a warm welcome to the fine 
citizens who have traveled to Austin to celebrate this occasion; 
and, be it further

	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 
the people of Chambers County as a memento of this special 
occasion.
                                                                        Williams




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on April 1, 2003.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate