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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Proud citizens of Washington County are visiting the |
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State Capitol on February 24, 2015, to celebrate their rich |
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heritage and the contributions their county has made to the story of |
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Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, In the early 1820s, members of Stephen F. Austin's |
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Old Three Hundred began settling in the area of Washington County, |
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and they soon formed a community known as Washington-on-the-Brazos; |
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the town became a major center of activity during the Texas |
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Revolution, and it was the site of the Convention of 1836, where |
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delegates signed the Texas Declaration of Independence and drafted |
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a constitution for the new republic; that same year, Washington |
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County was formally created, and later, from 1842 to 1845, |
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Washington-on-the-Brazos served as the capital of the republic; and |
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WHEREAS, The region attracted substantial immigration and |
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developed quickly; included among the newcomers were Germans, |
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Czechs, and Poles, who began arriving in the mid-19th century; |
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residents 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 to |
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become Southwestern University; today, that early tradition of |
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higher education is carried on at Blinn College, founded in 1883, in |
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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 the |
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recreation afforded by Lake Somerville, and step into the past at |
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museums in Brenham, Burton, Chappell Hill, and Independence; |
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moreover, the Star of the Republic Museum in |
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Washington-on-the-Brazos tells the story of the Texas Republic; and |
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WHEREAS, Other popular attractions include Blue Bell |
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Creameries, an eight-acre antique rose garden, the Downtown Brenham |
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historic district, four wineries, a microbrewery, and more than 40 |
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bed and breakfast inns; in addition, the area can boast of 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, along with the Burton Cotton Gin |
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Festival, the Bluebonnet and Scarecrow Festivals in Chappell Hill, |
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and the Brenham Maifest; and |
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WHEREAS, This dynamic county is one of the Lone Star State's |
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great treasures, and it is indeed a pleasure to honor the residents |
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of Washington County as they look forward to a bright and promising |
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future; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize February 24, 2015, 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 a memorable and enjoyable stay |
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in Austin. |