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HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The Brazos River is the longest river in Texas, with |
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a watershed stretching from New Mexico to the Gulf of Mexico; |
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intertwined with the history of the Lone Star State, the Brazos was |
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well-known to early Spanish explorers, who called it "Los Brazos de |
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Dios," or "the Arms of God"; and |
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WHEREAS, In its 840-mile journey from the confluence of the |
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Salt and Double Mountain Forks in Stonewall County, the Brazos |
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crosses most of the physiographic regions of Texas, including the |
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High Plains, the West Texas Rolling Plains, the Western Cross |
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Timbers, the Grand Prairie, and the Gulf Coastal Plain; one of the |
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loveliest stretches, between Possum Kingdom Reservoir and Lake |
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Whitney, was immortalized by John Graves in his acclaimed and |
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enduringly popular book Goodbye to a River, first published in |
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1960; the 79th Texas Legislature recognized the author's |
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contributions to literature and to public awareness of the Brazos |
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by designating as the John Graves Scenic Riverway the portion of the |
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river basin downstream of the Morris Shepard Dam to the county line |
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between Parker and Hood Counties; and |
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WHEREAS, Equally picturesque is the neighboring section of |
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the Brazos that meanders through the eastern third of Somervell |
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County, where Mr. Graves has lived for decades on a Glen Rose farm; |
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the riverbanks are lush with cedar, live oaks, and post oaks, and |
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limestone cliffs and outcroppings provide a dramatic backdrop as |
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kayakers and canoeists enjoy the gentle, winding course of the |
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water, which is well suited to families and novice paddlers; the |
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landscape here is characterized by vistas of rocky hills and small, |
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fertile valleys, and the idyllic, agrarian setting is populated by |
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a wide variety of wildlife, such as white-tailed deer, turkey, fox, |
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and rabbits; bird-watchers delight in the region's great horned |
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owls, whip-poor-wills, and waterfowl; visitors to this resort area |
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can also witness some of the state's most vibrant fall colors and |
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enjoy an abundance of wildflowers in the spring; and |
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WHEREAS, Generations of Texans have rejoiced in the |
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unforgettable beauty of the Brazos River Basin in Somervell County, |
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and nearly half a century after John Graves wrote his eloquent |
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tribute, this part of the Brazos remains a natural treasure; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby designate the section of the Brazos River Basin and its |
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contributing watershed within Somervell County as the Scenic |
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Riverway of Somervell County. |