SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 78

WHEREAS, Many proud residents of Matagorda County are gathering in Austin on February 10, 2015, to celebrate Matagorda County Day at the State Capitol; and

WHEREAS, One of the oldest counties in Texas, Matagorda County is located between Galveston and Corpus Christi along the Gulf Coast; it derives its name from the Spanish word for "thick brush," referring to the canebrakes that once lined its shores; the county is 72 miles southwest of Houston; its location allows residents easy access to a large metropolitan city while providing them the quiet lifestyle of a rural South Texas community; and

WHEREAS, Noted for its abundant wildlife, Matagorda County has more species of birds than any other county in the United States; its diverse geography, from marshes and coastal prairies to rivers and forests, affords outstanding birding opportunities, and the Matagorda County Birding Nature Center is an ideal place to learn about birds, gardening, wildlife, and native plants; the county is home to three Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail loops encompassing 17 observation sites; and

WHEREAS, The county's bays are filled with redfish, flounder, trout, crab, and shrimp, and the Port of Palacios is home to more than 200 shrimp boats and handles more commercial shrimp than any other Texas port; and

WHEREAS, Ranching, farming, and petroleum remain important, and the county benefits from the presence of the South Texas project; moreover, it recently became the home of TenarisBayCity, an international pipe manufacturing company; and

WHEREAS, Bay City is the county seat of Matagorda County and is known as "the gateway to the great outdoors"; it was founded in 1849 and named for its location in the center of a vast coastal prairie known from the time of Stephen F. Austin as "Bay Prairie"; although the city is 25 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, a port was constructed in the 1960s to link it to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway via the Colorado River; and

WHEREAS, Matagorda County is blessed with a rich history and abundant natural resources, and its residents may take great pride in their county's legacy and bright future; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th Legislature, hereby recognize February 10, 2015, as Matagorda County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere best wishes for a memorable and meaningful stay in Austin; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared in honor of this special day. Kolkhorst

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 2, 2015.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate