79S30400 MMS-D
By: Cook of Colorado H.C.R. No. 19
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The city of Giddings and Lee County welcome visitors
year-round to a multitude of festive events that reflect the area's
rich heritage and hospitable spirit; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1871 along the line of the Houston and
Texas Central Railway, Giddings became the county seat when Lee
County was created in 1874; as an administrative and judicial
center, the town echoed with the voices of a highly diverse
population, for Lee County, in the 19th century, was home to a large
number of immigrants, among whom were Wends, Germans, Czechs,
Moravians, and Danes; by 1890, nearly one out of every eight
citizens in the county was foreign born; and
WHEREAS, Although cotton was the primary crop, agriculture in
Lee County was relatively varied during the last quarter of the 19th
century; the coming of the railroad in the 1870s provided a
tremendous boost to cattle raising and hog production, and today
livestock and livestock products account for the greatest part of
the county's agricultural income; by virtue of its location on the
H&TC, Giddings developed into a major shipping point for the area's
farms, ranches, and businesses; and
WHEREAS, In order to promote an awareness and understanding
of the forces that have shaped the present-day county, as well as
much of the state, the Giddings Economic Development Corporation is
planning to restore the town's railroad depot buildings and to use
part of the space for a Rural Texas Tourism Center and
Transportation Museum; and
WHEREAS, Lee County's colorful past, its cultural
inheritance, and its strong communal bonds are particularly evident
during a number of special events that take place throughout the
year; among the most prominent of these is the Lee County Fair and
Rodeo, whose program includes the Charcoal Challenge, for barbecue
aficionados, and the State of Texas Noodle Cook-Off; the rodeo is
held in Giddings, which is also the site of the Lee County Junior
Livestock Show and Sale, the National Old Timer's Rodeo, the Pro
Bull Riders Fourth of July Bull Riding contest, the Bull Ball in the
Fall, and the Rope and Smoke Tournament, sponsored by the Brazos
Valley Chapter of the American Petroleum Institute; and
WHEREAS, In addition to events that bespeak the county's
ranching heritage, other highlights of the year serve to mark major
historical events, support civic organizations and worthy causes,
and celebrate ethnic folkways and contributions; the scene of many
such occasions, Giddings is home to the Lee County Juneteenth
Celebration, Fireman's Fourth of July Celebration, American Legion
Veterans' Day Breakfast, 911 Firefighters Appreciation, "Friends
of the Depot" Wine and Jazz Festival, St. Margaret's Catholic
Church and Immanuel Lutheran Church Fall Festivals, Rotary Club
Country Music Monday, Rotary/Sheriff Posse Fun Night, Lions Club
Chili Bowl Cook-off, "Word Wrangler" Festival, and Lee County
Heritage Valentine's Day Gala; and
WHEREAS, A short distance from Giddings, the community of
Serbin, established in 1855, hosts a festival to celebrate the
culture and achievements of the area's Wendish settlers, as well as
an annual picnic and an Advent Candlelight Dinner; and
WHEREAS, The Lee County calendar is also dotted with such
events as the Dime Box Homecoming and Mini Marathon, the Fedor Fish
Fry, and the Lincoln Community Club Picnic and Crawfish Boil;
attractions in Lexington range from the Homecoming reunion and
Fourth of July celebration to the Christmas Tree Lighting Festival
and Chocolate Lover's Festival; and
WHEREAS, Altogether, Lee County features more than 200 events
a year, offering a wide variety of entertainment for Texas
families, and it is fitting that this outstanding corner of the Lone
Star State be appropriately recognized; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 79th Legislature of the State of Texas,
3rd Called Session, hereby designate Giddings and Lee County as the
official Festival Capital of Texas.