H.R. No. 356

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Many proud residents of Bee County are gathering at the State Capitol to celebrate Bee County Day on February 11, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Officially organized on January 25, 1858, Bee County was named for Barnard E. Bee, Sr., a South Carolina attorney, soldier, and statesman who joined the Army of the Republic of Texas and served as secretary of war under Sam Houston; recovered artifacts indicate that the area was originally inhabited 6,000 to 10,000 years ago; the first permanent European settlers arrived in the early 19th century, and 11 Bee County landowners were among the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence; and

WHEREAS, Located in the South Texas Plains vegetation region, Bee County covers 866 square miles that slope gently toward the Gulf Coast; with the region's open expanses of grasslands, the local economy is dominated by farming and ranching but also welcomes oil and gas extraction and agribusiness; in 1954, the first U.S. Navy all-jet base opened at the Naval Auxiliary Air Station in Beeville, the county seat, and still contributes a significant amount to the region's economy; other towns in the county include Skidmore, Blue Berry Hill, Pettus, Tuleta, Tynan, Pawnee, Normanna, and Mineral; and

WHEREAS, The residents of this fine Texas county have played an important part in preserving their region's past and preparing for a productive future, and it is a pleasure to pay tribute to Bee County and its citizens on this special day; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas Legislature hereby recognize February 11, 2009, as Bee County Day at the State Capitol and extend to those visiting today sincere best wishes for an enjoyable stay in Austin.

Gonzalez Toureilles

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 356 was adopted by the House on February 11, 2009, by a non-record vote.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House