79R4443 MAM-D By: Dawson H.R. No. 184R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, Residents of Matagorda County are gathering at the State Capitol on February 8, 2005, to celebrate the role their county has played in the history of our great state; and WHEREAS, In 1820, Moses Austin received a land grant that included the fertile land between the Colorado and Brazos Rivers; his son, Stephen F. Austin, continued his father's plans of establishing a settlement in this Gulf Coast prairie region; and WHEREAS, After the Texas Revolution, in 1836, Matagorda County was organized as one of the first 23 counties of the Republic of Texas; the name "matagorda" is the Spanish word for thick brush, and it is derived from the canebrakes that formerly lined the county's shore; in the 19th century, the region's fertile soil, ample rainfall, and mild climate attracted hundreds of settlers, who maximized the land for farming and ranching, and the area's forests provided pioneer families with an abundant supply of wood for building and 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, soybeans, milo, and other grains; today, the region is home to the South Texas Nuclear Power Project and boasts a diverse economy of agriculture, petrochemicals, plastics, and oil and gas; and WHEREAS, Matagorda County is a desirable destination for visitors who enjoy the benefits of nature and outdoor recreational activities, such as boating, sailing, fishing, and water skiing; birdwatching has become a particularly popular pastime as the county has led all of North America in the prestigious Audubon Christmas Bird Count and 246 species were observed in December 2004 alone; and WHEREAS, The area also draws many visitors and residents alike to the Matagorda County Rodeo, the Christmas Lighted Parade and Tour of Homes, the Shrimporee and Blessing of the Fleet, Bayfest in November, the Rice Festival in October, and an annual cattle drive across the Colorado River to Matagorda Peninsula; in addition to the county seat, Bay City, other towns in the region include Palacios, Blessing, Cedar Lane, Collegeport, Elmaton, Markham, Matagorda, Midfield, Pledger, Sargent, Van Vleck, and Wadsworth; and WHEREAS, The residents of this fine Texas county have played an important part in preserving their region's past and preparing for a productive future, and it is a pleasure to pay tribute to Matagorda County and its citizens on this special day; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas Legislature hereby recognize February 8, 2005, as Matagorda County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the delegation here today sincere best wishes for an enjoyable visit.