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.