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                                                                  H.R. No. 166



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Bandera County, treasured by Texans for its scenic 
beauty and proud ranching tradition, is celebrating its 150th 
anniversary in 2006; and
	WHEREAS, The first inhabitants of Bandera County lived in 
rock shelters there some 6,000 to 10,000 years ago; Lipan Apaches 
and later Comanches roamed the area in historic times, and their 
resistance to white encroachment largely discouraged settlement 
until the latter decades of the 19th century; and
	WHEREAS, Notwithstanding the danger posed by Indian raids, a 
group of entrepreneurs acquired land on the Medina River, within 
the borders of the present-day county, in 1852, and the following 
year, members of the group surveyed the town of Bandera and opened a 
sawmill and commissary; and
	WHEREAS, A band of approximately 250 Mormons arrived in the 
area in 1854 and eventually established homes near the community of 
Bandera; in 1855, 16 Polish families moved to the latter settlement 
to work in the sawmill; their parish, St. Stanislaus, is the second 
oldest Polish Catholic parish in the United States; and
	WHEREAS, Bandera County was created by the Texas Legislature 
on January 25, 1856, and organized on March 10, 1856, with the town 
of Bandera as the county seat; during the county's early years, the 
making of cypress shingles and cattle ranching figured prominently 
as economic endeavors; and
	WHEREAS, In the 1870s, as the threat of Indian attack 
receded, the population of Bandera County grew markedly and the 
county became a staging area for cattle drives up the Western Trail; 
by 1880, however, sheep outnumbered cattle, and wool had become the 
county's most important export; the 1880s also saw the development 
of an important Angora goat industry; and
	WHEREAS, After fluctuating moderately throughout much of the 
20th century, the population of Bandera County has risen rapidly 
since 1970, and approximately 20,000 individuals now make their 
home there; and
	WHEREAS, While ranching continues to dominate the 
agricultural scene, Bandera County has also become known in recent 
years for its apple harvest; forest products play an important role 
in the local economy as well, as do hunting, fishing, and, 
especially, tourism; and
	WHEREAS, Around 1920, the first ranches in Texas to welcome 
paying guests opened in Bandera County, and dude ranches continue 
to rank as one of the county's most prominent tourist attractions; 
outdoor recreation is also the order of the day at two other major 
draws, Lost Maples and Hill Country State Natural Areas; and
	WHEREAS, The citizens of Bandera County are heirs to a rich 
western heritage, a legacy reflected in the county's bold motto, 
"Cowboy Capital of the World"; as they celebrate this special 
milestone, it is a pleasure to recognize their industry, their 
achievements, and their public spirit; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby congratulate Bandera 
County on its 150th anniversary and extend to all its citizens 
sincere best wishes for a memorable commemoration.

                                                                      Hilderbran

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 166 was adopted by the House on May 4, 
2006, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House