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79R4443 MAM-D

By:  Dawson                                                       H.R. No. 184



R 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.