| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, Many citizens of Washington County are visiting the |
|
|
Capitol on February 28, 2007, to celebrate their rich heritage and |
|
|
the role their county has played in building the Lone Star State; |
|
|
and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Members of Stephen F. Austin's Old 300 began |
|
|
settling in the area of Washington County in 1821; in 1836, at |
|
|
Washington-on-the-Brazos, delegates signed the Texas Declaration |
|
|
of Independence and drafted a constitution for the new republic; |
|
|
later, from 1842 to 1845, this community served as the capital of |
|
|
the republic; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Washington County was created in 1836 and was |
|
|
organized the following year; situated on the Blackland Prairies, |
|
|
the region attracted substantial immigration and developed |
|
|
quickly; included in the flow of newcomers were Germans, Czechs, |
|
|
and Poles, who began arriving in the mid-19th century; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, In the 1840s and 1850s the establishment of several |
|
|
colleges, among them Baylor University and a precursor to |
|
|
Southwestern University, testified to the dynamic nature of |
|
|
Washington County; today Blinn College, founded in 1883 in Brenham, |
|
|
the county seat, carries on the county's early tradition of higher |
|
|
education; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, The region's natural beauty and its prominent role |
|
|
in early Texas history have made Washington County a popular |
|
|
tourist destination; visitors can wander its scenic country roads, |
|
|
enjoy the recreation afforded by Somerville Lake, and step into the |
|
|
past at the Brenham, Burton, Chappell Hill, and Independence |
|
|
museums; the Star of the Republic Museum, in |
|
|
Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historical Park, tells the story of |
|
|
the Texas Republic; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Other popular attractions include the Blue Bell |
|
|
Creameries, an eight-acre antique rose garden, and a miniature |
|
|
horse farm; the county's well-known festivals include the |
|
|
Washington County Fair, which is the oldest county fair in Texas, |
|
|
Burton's Cotton Gin Festival, Chappell Hill's Bluebonnet and |
|
|
Scarecrow festivals, and Brenham's Maifest; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, The industrious residents of this vital Texas county |
|
|
are preserving the best of their past and looking forward to the |
|
|
challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, and it is indeed a |
|
|
pleasure to honor them at this time; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas |
|
|
Legislature hereby recognize February 28, 2007, as Washington |
|
|
County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the delegation present |
|
|
on this day sincere best wishes for an enjoyable and memorable |
|
|
visit. |