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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Many proud residents of Bee County are gathering at |
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the State Capitol to celebrate Bee County Day on March 17, 2011; and |
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WHEREAS, Officially organized on January 25, 1858, Bee County |
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was named for Barnard E. Bee, Sr., a South Carolina attorney, |
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soldier, and statesman who joined the Army of the Republic of Texas |
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and served as secretary of war under Sam Houston; recovered |
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artifacts indicate that the area was originally inhabited 6,000 to |
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10,000 years ago; the first permanent European settlers arrived in |
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the early 19th century, and 11 Bee County landowners were among the |
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signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence; and |
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WHEREAS, Located in the South Texas Plains vegetation region, |
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Bee County covers 866 square miles that slope gently toward the Gulf |
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Coast; with the region's open expanses of grasslands, the local |
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economy is dominated by farming and ranching but also welcomes oil |
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and gas extraction and agribusiness; in 1954, the first U.S. Navy |
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all-jet base opened at the Naval Auxiliary Air Station in Beeville, |
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the county seat, and still contributes a significant amount to the |
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region's economy; other towns in the county include Skidmore, Blue |
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Berry Hill, Pettus, Tuleta, Tynan, Pawnee, Normanna, and Mineral; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Bee County is blessed with an array of cultural and |
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historical attractions for residents and visitors to explore; art |
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enthusiasts may delight in the educational programs and exhibits of |
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the Beeville Art Museum, which is funded by the Joe Barnhart |
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Foundation and housed in the historic Esther Barnhart House; in |
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addition, Beeville has successfully revitalized its downtown |
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district and has been named a Texas Main Street City by the Texas |
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Historical Commission; Coastal Bend College--Beeville offers |
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occupational as well as academic classes for its students and has |
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one of the only public, fully functioning glassblowing facilities |
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in the state; and |
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WHEREAS, The residents of Bee County may take great pride in |
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their heritage and contributions to the Lone Star State, and it is a |
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pleasure to pay tribute to the county and its citizens on this |
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special day; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize March 17, 2011, as Bee County Day at |
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the State Capitol and extend to those visiting today sincere best |
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wishes for an enjoyable stay in Austin. |