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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 215
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to |
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recognize the citizens of Washington County who are visiting |
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the State Capitol on February 26, 2013, to celebrate their rich |
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heritage and the contributions their county has made to the |
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story of Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, Members of Stephen F. Austin's Old Three Hundred |
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began settling in the area of Washington County in the early |
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1820s and soon formed a community known as |
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Washington-on-the-Brazos; the town became a major center of |
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activity during the Texas Revolution and was the site of the |
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Convention of 1836, where delegates signed the Texas Declaration |
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of Independence and drafted a constitution for the new republic; |
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that same year, Washington County was formally created, and |
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later, from 1842 to 1845, Washington-on-the-Brazos served as the |
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capital of the republic; and |
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WHEREAS, Situated on the Blackland Prairies, the region |
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attracted substantial immigration and developed quickly; |
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included in the flow of newcomers were Germans, Czechs, and |
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Poles, who began arriving in the mid-19th century; residents |
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had several colleges to choose from, including Baylor |
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University, which was established in Independence in 1846, and |
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Soule University, which eventually merged with other schools |
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to become Southwestern University; today, that early tradition |
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of higher education is carried on at Blinn College, founded in |
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1883, in Brenham, the county seat; and |
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WHEREAS, Thanks to its natural beauty and prominent role in |
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early Texas history, Washington County is a popular tourist |
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destination; visitors can drive scenic country roads, enjoy |
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the recreation afforded by Somerville Lake, and step into the |
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past at museums in Brenham, Burton, Chappell Hill, and |
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Independence; moreover, the Star of the Republic Museum in |
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Washington-on-the-Brazos tells the story of the Texas |
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Republic; and |
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WHEREAS, Other popular attractions include the Blue Bell |
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Creameries, an eight-acre antique rose garden, and a |
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miniature-horse farm; in addition, the area boasts such |
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well-known events as the Washington County Fair, which is the |
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oldest county fair in Texas, the Burton Cotton Gin Festival, |
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the Bluebonnet and Scarecrow Festivals in Chappell Hill, and |
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the Brenham Maifest; and |
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WHEREAS, This dynamic county is one of the Lone Star |
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State's great treasures, and it is indeed a pleasure to honor |
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the residents of Washington County as they look forward to a |
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bright and promising future; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd |
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Legislature, hereby recognize February 26, 2013, as Washington |
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County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting |
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delegation sincere best wishes for an enjoyable and memorable |
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stay in Austin; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the |
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Washington County delegation to commemorate this special day. |
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Hegar |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on February 18, 2013. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |