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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Proud area residents are joining together to |
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celebrate Austin County Day at the State Capitol on March 31, 2015, |
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and this occasion provides a fitting opportunity to recognize the |
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county's unique contribution to the story of the Lone Star State; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, American settlement in the county dates to the early |
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1820s, when the area became part of Stephen F. Austin's first |
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colony; the first town to be established was San Felipe de Austin, |
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which served as the administrative seat of the colony and as a |
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social, cultural, and commercial center; and |
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WHEREAS, Austin County was created by the Constitution of |
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1836 and was formally organized by 1837; San Felipe was the county |
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seat until 1848, when the county government was moved to Bellville; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Blessed with an abundance of water, grassland, and |
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forests, the county drew a steady stream of settlers, most of whom |
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were engaged in agriculture; a number of towns grew substantially |
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during the 19th century, including Bellville and Wallis and the |
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railroad towns of Sealy and Kenney; and |
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WHEREAS, During the 1800s, German and Czech immigrants began |
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arriving in Austin County in appreciable numbers, and their |
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influence is felt throughout the region in the societies that they |
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established and the many communities that they founded; the |
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cultural mosaic of the county has been further enriched by |
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immigrants from Mexico, the largest foreign-born group to settle |
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there in the 20th century, and by African Americans, who played a |
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fundamental role in the county's development and in the creation of |
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numerous social and religious institutions; and |
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WHEREAS, Among the prominent Texans who have resided in |
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Austin County was Gail Borden Jr., a surveyor and newspaper |
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publisher who later invented a successful process for condensing |
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milk; another early citizen, Robert Justus Kleberg, fought in the |
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Battle of San Jacinto and held several prestigious public offices; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Today, visitors and residents alike can explore the |
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county's rich heritage, preserved at the San Felipe de Austin State |
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Historic Site and in rural communities throughout the area, and |
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they enjoy hunting and fishing opportunities as well as a wealth of |
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special recreational events; and |
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WHEREAS, The citizens of Austin County have together built a |
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vibrant and distinctive corner of Texas, and they may indeed take |
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pride in their notable history as they look forward to a future |
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filled with promise; 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 March 31, 2015, as Austin County Day |
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and extend to the visiting delegation a warm welcome to the State |
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Capitol. |
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Schubert |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 1699 was adopted by the House on March |
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31, 2015, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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