81R12761 JGH-D

By: Weber H.C.R. No. 87

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Proud citizens of Brazoria County are gathering in Austin to celebrate Brazoria County Day at the State Capitol on March 10, 2009; and

WHEREAS, This section of coastal prairie along the Brazos River was inhabited during the first three centuries of Texas' recorded history by the nomadic Karankawa Indians; the Spanish explorer Cabeza de Vaca passed through the region as early as 1528, and the pirate Jean Lafitte was rumored to have used the mouth of the Brazos as a refuge; and

WHEREAS, The region was settled in the 1820s by members of Stephen F. Austin's Old Three Hundred; Henry Smith of Brazoria served as the first American governor of Texas and as a leader of the movement for independence, and the town of Columbia served as the capital of Texas during the first Texas Congress; in 1836, Brazoria County became one of the original counties established by the new republic; and

WHEREAS, Farming and ranching initially constituted the mainstays of the county's economy; the discovery of oil and sulfur deposits in the early 20th century helped the region grow, and chemical processing became increasingly important during World War II and after; commercial fishing and the recreation industry have helped to ensure continuing economic development; and

WHEREAS, Today, the eight cities of the Brazosport area--Clute, Freeport, Jones Creek, Lake Jackson, Oyster Creek, Quintana, Richwood, and Surfside Beach--boast excellent schools and affordable housing; visitors and residents alike take great pleasure in 27 miles of sandy beaches, bay and offshore fishing, scuba diving, and outstanding birdwatching at the Brazoria and San Bernard National Wildlife Refuges; and

WHEREAS, Angleton, the county seat, abounds with antique shops and scenic parks and hosts the county fair, one of the largest in Texas, every October and Christmas on the Square every December; the town of Alvin is home to the Nolan Ryan Center, which celebrates the career of its native son and Baseball Hall of Famer; moreover, the nearby town of Pearland is a center for the chemical and oil industries; and

WHEREAS, The educational opportunities available to students at Alvin Community College and Brazosport College further contribute to the county's many amenities; and

WHEREAS, Even as they celebrate their rich heritage, the hardworking citizens of Brazoria County are looking ahead to the opportunities of the future and continuing to contribute greatly to the growth and prosperity of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas hereby declare March 10, 2009, Brazoria County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation best wishes for a memorable and meaningful stay in Austin.