H.R. No. 476

	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Proud residents of Washington County are gathering
	in Austin on February 26, 2013, to celebrate the unique role their
	county has played in the history and ongoing development of the Lone
	Star State; and
	WHEREAS, This region of rolling prairie lies just west of the
	Brazos River and remained unsettled until 1821, when members of
	Stephen F. Austin's Old Three Hundred began to homestead the area;
	during the Texas Revolution, the ferry crossing known as
	Washington-on-the-Brazos became the headquarters of General Sam
	Houston and the site of the Convention of 1836, when 59 delegates
	from throughout the region declared the independence of Texas and
	drafted its constitution; the town of Washington was the capital of
	the new republic from 1842 to 1845; and
	WHEREAS, Washington County was organized in 1837, and Brenham
	became the county seat in 1844; higher education was important in
	the area even in those early days; Baylor University was founded in
	the county in 1846 and Soule University was founded in Chappell Hill
	in 1855; today, Blinn College in Brenham carries on this proud
	tradition; and
	WHEREAS, Washington County's central role in the history of
	Texas draws visitors from across the state and nation; the Star of
	the Republic Museum, Independence Hall, and the Barrington Living
	History Farm at the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site
	vividly evoke the years of the Texas Republic; the Chappell Hill
	Historic District includes a historical museum, a folk art
	collection, a Masonic cemetery where descendants of William
	B. Travis are buried, and the site of the "Official Bluebonnet
	Festival of Texas" each year in April; the building housing the
	Brenham Heritage Museum is also a venerable landmark and is listed
	on the National Register of Historic Places; and
	WHEREAS, Other popular attractions include the recreational
	opportunities of Lake Somerville, three wineries, more than 40 bed
	and breakfast lodging properties, the Antique Rose Emporium's
	eight-acre rose and herb garden, and scenic country roads where
	wildflowers bloom in profusion; every year, thousands of people
	take the tour of Blue Bell Creameries in Brenham, where one of the
	nation's best-selling brands of ice cream is made; visitors to the
	county seat can also walk through the downtown historic district,
	which features vintage stone storefronts, a host of shops and
	eateries, and the plays and musical productions at Unity Theatre;
	and
	WHEREAS, Honoring their rich history as they continue to work
	on building an even brighter future, the residents of Brenham and
	Washington County have many reasons to be proud of the place they
	call home; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
	Legislature hereby recognize February 26, 2013, as Washington
	County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting
	delegation sincere best wishes for an enjoyable and memorable stay
	in Austin.
	Kolkhorst
	Straus M. Gonzalez of El Paso Oliveira
	Allen N. Gonzalez of El Paso Orr
	Alonzo Gooden Otto
	Alvarado Guerra Paddie
	Anchia Guillen Parker
	Anderson Gutierrez Patrick
	Ashby Harless Perez
	Aycock Harper-Brown Perry
	Bell Hernandez Luna Phillips
	Bohac Herrero Pickett
	Bonnen of Brazoria Hilderbran Pitts
	Bonnen of Galveston Howard Price
	Branch Huberty Raney
	Burkett Hughes Ratliff
	Burnam Hunter Raymond
	Button Isaac Reynolds
	Callegari Johnson Riddle
	Canales Kacal Ritter
	Capriglione Keffer Rodriguez of Bexar
	Carter King of Hemphill Rodriguez of Travis
	Clardy King of Parker Rose
	Coleman King of Taylor Sanford
	Collier King of Zavala Schaefer
	Cook Kleinschmidt Sheets
	Cortez Klick Sheffield of Bell
	Craddick Kolkhorst Sheffield of Coryell
	Creighton Krause Simmons
	Crownover Kuempel Simpson
	Dale Larson Smith
	Darby Laubenberg Smithee
	Davis of Dallas Lavender Springer
	J. Davis of Harris Leach Stephenson
	S. Davis of Harris Lewis Stickland
	Deshotel Longoria Strama
	Dukes Lozano Taylor
	Dutton Lucio III Thompson of Brazoria
	Eiland Marquez Thompson of Harris
	Elkins Martinez Toth
	Fallon Martinez Fischer Turner of Collin
	Farias McClendon Turner of Harris
	Farney Menendez Turner of Tarrant
	Farrar Miles Villalba
	Fletcher Miller of Comal Villarreal
	Flynn Miller of Fort Bend Vo
	Frank Moody Walle
	Frullo Morrison White
	Geren Munoz, Jr. Workman
	Giddings Murphy Wu
	Goldman Naishtat Zedler
	Gonzales Nevarez Zerwas
	______________________________
	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.R. No. 476 was adopted by the House on February
	25, 2013, by a non-record vote.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House