SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 219
         WHEREAS, Citizens of Washington County are visiting the
  Capitol on February 24, 2009, to celebrate their rich heritage
  and the role their county has played in building the Lone Star
  State; and
 
         WHEREAS, Members of Stephen F. Austin's Old Three Hundred
  began settling in the area of Washington County in 1821; in 1836,
  at Washington-on-the-Brazos, delegates signed the Texas
  Declaration of Independence and drafted a constitution for the
  new republic; later, from 1842 to 1845, this community served as
  the capital of the republic; and
 
         WHEREAS, Washington County was created in 1836 and was
  organized the following year; situated on the Blackland
  Prairies, the region attracted substantial immigration and
  developed quickly; included in the flow of newcomers were
  Germans, Czechs, and Poles, who began arriving in the mid-19th
  century; and
 
         WHEREAS, In the 1840s and 1850s, the establishment of
  several colleges, among them Baylor University and a precursor to
  Southwestern University, testified to the dynamic nature of
  Washington County; today, Blinn College, founded in 1883 in
  Brenham, the county seat, carries on the county's early tradition
  of higher education; and
 
         WHEREAS, The region's natural beauty and its prominent role
  in early Texas history have made Washington County a popular
  tourist destination; visitors can wander its scenic country
  roads, enjoy the recreation afforded by Somerville Lake, and step
  into the past at the museums in Brenham, Burton, Chappell Hill,
  and Independence museums; the Star of the Republic Museum in
  Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historical Park tells the story
  of the Texas Republic; and
 
         WHEREAS, Other popular attractions include the Blue Bell
  Creameries, an eight-acre antique rose garden, and a miniature
  horse farm; the county's well-known festivals include the
  Washington County Fair, which is the oldest county fair in Texas,
  Burton's Cotton Gin Festival, Chappell Hill's Bluebonnet and
  Scarecrow festivals, and Brenham's Maifest; and
 
         WHEREAS, The industrious residents of this Texas county
  are preserving the best of their past and looking forward to the
  challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, and it is indeed a
  pleasure to honor them at this time; now, therefore, be it
 
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st
  Legislature, hereby recognize February 24, 2009, as Washington
  County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the delegation
  present on this day sincere best wishes for an enjoyable and
  memorable visit; and, be it further
 
         RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in
  honor of this event.
 
  Hegar
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on February 17, 2009.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate