80R10474 JGH-D

By: O'Day H.R. No. 747

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Proud citizens of Matagorda County are gathering in Austin to celebrate Matagorda County Day at the State Capitol on March 13, 2007; and

WHEREAS, The Karankawa were living in this region of prairie, beaches, salt marshes, and coastal waterways when the first European explorers arrived in the 16th century; there were unsuccessful efforts at establishing a colony, and the famous French explorer La Salle's last expedition came to an unhappy end along the coast in the area in 1686, when his ship La Belle sank and he was murdered by his own men; and

WHEREAS, Anglo-Americans began arriving in the early 1820s, and the town of Matagorda was founded in 1829 once Stephen F. Austin had convinced the Mexican government that a military post was needed to protect incoming settlers; and

WHEREAS, Following the Texas Revolution, Matagorda County was one of the first 23 counties established by the Republic of Texas; it was named for the Spanish word for "thick brush," after the dense canebrakes along the shore of the region; Matagorda was named the county seat and became not only a major seaport but also an important port of entry for people coming to Texas; and

WHEREAS, Livestock, cotton, and sugar were the foundations of the county's economy in the early years; after the boll weevil weakened the cotton crop in the early 1900s, many farmers turned to the cultivation of rice; the economy was further diversified by the discovery of oil and sulphur in the early 20th century; and

WHEREAS, Today turfgrass, cattle, cotton, rice, sorghum, corn, and seafood are all mainstays of the county's livelihood; petroleum and petrochemical operations also remain essential, and the county is home to the twin reactors of the South Texas Nuclear Project; and

WHEREAS, Bay City, which became county seat in 1894, is a thriving center of petroleum and chemical operations, commercial fishing, and tourism; the Matagorda County Birding and Nature Center spans 34 acres along the Colorado River with nature trails, gardens, and boardwalks, and is an excellent introduction to the natural wonders of the county; and

WHEREAS, Palacios is home to over 300 commercial shrimping boats, which bring in an annual harvest of over 15 million pounds, making the city second among Texas fishing ports and 13th nationwide; the recovery of La Salle's lost ship La Belle from Matagorda Bay in 1997 is one of the most important archaeological finds in North America; artifacts from the ship are on display in the Palacios Area Museum, and a half-scale replica of the ship called La Petite Belle can be seen at the South Bay Marina; and

WHEREAS, As the southern end of the Central Flyway, one of the nation's four main migratory bird routes, the county has become a mecca for birders; such prime birding sites as Big Boggy National Wildlife Refuge, the Matagorda Bay Nature Park, the Mad Island Wildlife Management Area, and the Nature Conservancy Clive Runnells Family Mad Island Marsh Preserve draw bird-watchers from all over the world; birders in Mad Island Marsh have counted the highest number of bird species in North America for eight years in a row during the annual Christmas Bird Count; and

WHEREAS, Blessed with abundant wildlife, scenic wonders, and natural resources, Matagorda County offers a plethora of opportunities for residents and visitors alike; its long, colorful history as one of the oldest regions of the Lone Star State is matched only by its potential for a bright future; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas Legislature hereby recognize March 13, 2007, as Matagorda County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation best wishes for an enjoyable stay in Austin.