SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 132

	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to 
join the proud citizens of Jefferson County in celebrating 
Jefferson County Days at the Capitol on February 13 through 
February 15; and

	WHEREAS, Named for Thomas Jefferson, Jefferson County 
was formed in 1836 and was one of the original counties in the 
Republic of Texas; it is bordered on the east by the Neches River, 
Sabine Lake, and Sabine Pass and on the south by the Gulf of Mexico;
and

	WHEREAS, On January 10, 1901, the discovery of oil at 
Spindletop created a new energy industry for the area; the county
remains one of the world's largest petrochemical and refining 
complexes; it also enjoys a thriving economy based on agriculture,
customer service centers, and precision industrial equipment 
supply companies; and

	WHEREAS, Snow geese and many species of duck and other 
waterfowl populate the county's enchanting marshes, providing for
excellent hunting; the area rivers and lakes and the Gulf of Mexico
provide for excellent freshwater and saltwater fishing, as well 
as shrimping; and

	WHEREAS, Residents of Jefferson County enjoy educational 
and cultural enrichment through Lamar University, Lamar Institute
of Technology, and Lamar State College--Port Arthur; they also 
enjoy such assets as the restored boomtown at Spindletop, the 
South East Texas Entertainment Complex, the Sabine Pass 
Battleground State Historical Park, and the Tex Ritter Park at 
Nederland; in addition, residents and tourists can take part in
a multitude of outdoor county events, including the Heritage 
Festival in Nederland, the South Texas Fair in Beaumont, the 
annual Mardi Gras festivities in Port Arthur, and the Groves 
Pecan Festival; and

	WHEREAS, Jefferson County residents gather for these and 
other special events and activities and work together effectively
and cohesively for the good of all Southeast Texas; to that end, 
the chambers of commerce of Beaumont, Groves, Nederland,
Port Arthur, and Port Neches have combined forces to form the 
Jefferson County Chambers of Commerce Legislative Response Team;
and

	WHEREAS, Jefferson County is known for its resourceful and 
energetic citizens, and they deserve recognition for preserving 
their county's past and planning for its promising future; now, 
therefore, be it

	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
79th Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the exemplary citizens of
Jefferson County and declare February 13 through February 15, 2005,
Jefferson County Days at the State Capitol; and, be it further

	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 
Jefferson County as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
                                                                 Williams, Janek




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on February 15, 2005.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate