H.C.R. No. 85

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Public-spirited citizens of Matagorda County are gathering in Austin on March 10, 2009, to celebrate Matagorda County Day at the State Capitol; and

WHEREAS, This region of prairie, salt marshes, and coastal waterways has long been home to abundant wildlife, including bobcats, coyotes, deer, and waterfowl; the name Matagorda, a Spanish phrase meaning "thick brush," derived from the dense canebrakes that once grew along the shore; and

WHEREAS, Karankawa Indians were living in the area when the first European explorers passed through in the 1500s, and they were still there, though fewer in number, in 1822 when Stephen F. Austin founded a colony at the mouth of the Colorado River; the town of Matagorda was established in 1829 as a military post, and two years later a customs house was opened in the community; and

WHEREAS, Matagorda County was among the original 23 counties created by the Republic of Texas in 1836; for a number of years, the town of Matagorda ranked as the second-largest seaport in Texas, and the first several decades of the county's history witnessed the development of significant cotton, sugar, and cattle industries; after the boll weevil became a threat to the cotton crop at the turn of the 20th century, more and more farmers began to grow rice; the discovery of oil and sulfur in the early 1900s led to further diversification of the area's economy; and

WHEREAS, Today, farming, ranching, and petroleum continue to be the economic mainstays of Matagorda County; the area is also the site of the South Texas Project Electric Generating Station, one of the largest nuclear power plants in the nation, which supplies electricity to more than one million homes and businesses in South Central Texas; other enterprises and industries include shipyards, commercial fishing, and tourism; and

WHEREAS, Bay City, the county seat, hosts the county fair, livestock show, and rodeo in early spring and the Rice Festival in the fall, while attractions in Palacios include the reenactment of La Salle's landing on the Fourth of July and the Texas Seafood Festival in October; yearly highlights in Sargent include the July Jamboree and, in November, the Lighted Boat Parade; and

WHEREAS, Residents and visitors alike enjoy the county's fine beaches and the opportunities for fishing along Matagorda Bay; in addition, the area is renowned among birders across the nation as a premier destination, with the annual Mad Island Christmas Bird Count consistently placing in the top five national counts; the fascinating story of the final expedition of the French explorer La Salle is featured at museums in Bay City and Palacios, where artifacts from his ship, La Belle, are displayed; a half-scale replica of the ship is docked in Palacios; and

WHEREAS, Matagorda County is blessed with a rich history and abundant natural resources, and its residents may take great pride in their legacy and bright future; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas hereby declare March 10, 2009, as Matagorda County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere best wishes for an enjoyable stay in Austin.

Weber

______________________________ ______________________________

President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I certify that H.C.R. No. 85 was adopted by the House on March 10, 2009, by a non-record vote.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

I certify that H.C.R. No. 85 was adopted by the Senate on May 18, 2009, by a viva-voce vote.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: __________________

Date

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Governor