SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 415
         WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
  recognize the citizens of Wharton County who have come to Austin
  to celebrate Wharton County Day at the State Capitol; and
 
         WHEREAS, Wharton County was founded in April of 1846 and
  named for two Texas heroes, brothers William Harris Wharton and
  John Austin Wharton; and
 
         WHEREAS, Wharton County is located on the Coastal Plain of
  southeast Texas on United States Highway 59 southwest of Houston;
  the county is bounded by Matagorda, Colorado, and Jackson
  Counties and by the San Bernard River, which forms its
  northeastern border and marks the county line with Fort Bend
  County; and
 
         WHEREAS, Wharton County has approximately 41,280 residents
  and encompasses 1,086 square miles of land, which is divided
  primarily between prairie and timberland; the Colorado River,
  which traverses the county from northwest to southeast, divides
  it roughly in half and flows through Wharton and Glen Flora; and
 
         WHEREAS, Prospective landowners first came to the plains
  of the Colorado River in 1822, led by Stephen F. Austin under
  contract with the Mexican government; the Mexican Imperial
  Colonization Law of 1823 granted 177 acres to the heads of
  families for farming and 4,428 acres for raising cattle; and
 
         WHEREAS, During the time of the Republic of Texas, the area
  was divided into three counties, Matagorda, Jackson, and
  Colorado, and the area consisted of isolated plantation homes and
  two growing towns, Preston and Egypt; and
 
         WHEREAS, After Texas entered the United States in 1845,
  Wharton County was formed of parts of the three existing counties
  near the intersection of the mail routes from Matagorda to
  Columbus and from Houston to Victoria; and
 
         WHEREAS, The advent of railroads and irrigation brought
  increased settlement to the area, which remains a center of
  agricultural, educational, industrial, and medical services for
  a large region; and
 
         WHEREAS, Wharton County's largest cities and townships are
  El Campo, Wharton, East Bernard, Boling, and Louise; and
 
         WHEREAS, Wharton, the county seat, is known for its
  small-town way of life and its Czech, Danish, and Mexican
  heritage; it offers exceptional hunting and outdoor activities,
  proximity to both Houston and the Gulf Coast, and outstanding
  festivals; it is also noted for its excellent schools and
  championship football teams; and
 
         WHEREAS, Residents of Wharton County can take pride in
  their rich history and heritage as they look forward to a
  promising future; now, therefore, be it
 
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
  83rd Legislature, hereby welcome the citizens of Wharton County
  to Austin and extend best wishes for a productive and enjoyable
  Wharton County Day at the State Capitol; and, be it further
 
         RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
  them as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
 
  Hegar
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on March 6, 2013.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate