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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, On March 1, 2011, proud residents of Austin County |
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are gathering at the State Capitol to celebrate their county's |
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achievements and unique place in the history of the Lone Star State; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, The area that would become Austin County was one of |
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the locations settled by the initial colonists who were brought to |
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Texas by Stephen F. Austin; the first English-language newspaper in |
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Texas, the Gazette, was launched in 1829 in the colony's main town, |
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San Felipe de Austin; this settlement played an important part in |
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the Texas Revolution, briefly serving as capital of the provisional |
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government; and |
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WHEREAS, San Felipe became the county seat on the founding of |
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Austin County in 1837 but was soon supplanted by Bellville; |
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beginning in the 1830s, Czech and German immigrants settled in the |
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county, establishing new lives in a new land and contributing their |
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time-honored traditions and values to further enrich the culture of |
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Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, tourism has joined agribusiness and |
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manufacturing as a key component of the area's economy; the county's |
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colorful past provides many splendid attractions, including the San |
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Felipe de Austin State Historic Site, which includes the Stephen F. |
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Austin State Visitors Center, housed in the historic J. J. Josey |
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store; nearby is Stephen F. Austin State Park, an outstanding |
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destination for hiking, fishing, and other recreational pursuits; |
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moreover, countless travelers come to Austin County in the spring |
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for the scenic vistas of bluebonnets and other wildflowers; and |
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WHEREAS, The county also includes many dance halls and other |
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examples of vintage architecture as well as numerous historical |
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markers and cemetery designations; these sites are a credit to the |
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preservation efforts of local and state historical commissions and |
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serve as reminders of the traditions of area residents and events |
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that have transpired over the years; and |
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WHEREAS, Austin County maintains its pastoral charm and its |
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many links to the past even as it prepares for the opportunities of |
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the future, and it is most fitting to take this opportunity to honor |
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this part of the Lone Star State and the industrious people who make |
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their homes there; 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 1, 2011, as Austin County Day |
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and extend to its delegation sincere best wishes for an enjoyable |
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and rewarding visit to the State Capitol. |