SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 393

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pleasure in recognizing March 11, 2009, as Port Lavaca Day at the Capitol; and

WHEREAS, The county seat of Calhoun County, Port Lavaca sits on a bluff on the west coast of Lavaca Bay; the town was named La Vaca in 1841 and was laid out in 1842; during the period of the Republic of Texas, Lavaca was the busiest port on Matagorda and Lavaca Bays; and

WHEREAS, Lavaca became the county seat when Calhoun County was established in 1846; as one of the premier ports on Matagorda Bay, the town exported cattle, hides, cotton, wool, pecans, and mustang grape wine; during the next few decades, Lavaca competed with Indianola to serve as the county seat; in 1886, Lavaca became the permanent county seat, and soon afterwards, it became known as Port Lavaca; and

WHEREAS, In the early years of the 20th century, Port Lavaca's economy increasingly became centered on shipping; tourism also had developed, and the area was becoming a popular destination for hunters and fishermen; by the 1920s, the exporting of shrimp had become a major industry, and in 1928, Port Lavaca led the nation in the amount of seafood shipped, sprouting an ancillary industry and strengthening the local economy; and

WHEREAS, During the 1940s, the establishment of nearby industries, such as the Aluminum Company of America, Union Carbide, and DuPont, contributed to the growth of Port Lavaca; in 1965, the Matagorda Ship Channel, with side channels branching off to Port Lavaca, was completed, and a harbor of refuge for the protection of boats during storms was created at Port Lavaca; and

WHEREAS, Today, the city's amenities include the Port Lavaca State Fishing Pier and Lighthouse Park, which features a manmade sand beach, a nature walk, and Halfmoon Reef Lighthouse; annual celebrations that take place in Port Lavaca include the Fishing Festival, the Taste of Heritage Festival, and the Festival of Lights; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st Legislature, hereby pay tribute to Port Lavaca for its many assets and extend best wishes to the residents of Port Lavaca for a celebratory Port Lavaca Day; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in honor of this occasion. Hegar

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 9, 2009.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate