SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 94

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

WHEREAS, Artifacts indicate that the region was originally inhabited 6,000 to 10,000 years ago; the first permanent European settlers arrived in the early 19th century, and 11 area landowners were among the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence; and

WHEREAS, Bee County was officially organized on January 25, 1858, and named for Barnard E. Bee Sr., a South Carolina attorney, soldier, and statesman who joined the Army of the Republic of Texas and served as secretary of war under Sam Houston; and

WHEREAS, Located in the South Texas Plains vegetation region, the county covers 866 square miles that slope gently toward the Gulf Coast; with the region's open expanses of grasslands, its economy is dominated by farming and ranching along with oil and gas operations and agribusiness; Beeville is the county seat, and other towns in the county include Skidmore, Blue Berry Hill, Pettus, Tuleta, Tynan, Pawnee, Normanna, and Mineral; and

WHEREAS, Bee County is blessed with an array of cultural and historical attractions for residents and visitors to explore; Beeville has successfully revitalized its downtown district and has been named a Texas Main Street City by the Texas Historical Commission; Coastal Bend College--Beeville offers occupational as well as academic classes for its students, and it has the oldest academic educational glassblowing facility in the state; art enthusiasts may delight in the exhibits of the Beeville Art Museum, which is funded by the Joe Barnhart Foundation and housed in the historic Esther Barnhart House; in addition, visitors come from all across Texas to celebrate the state's rich traditions at Western Week, one of the county's largest and longest-running festivals; and

WHEREAS, The residents of Bee County may take great pride in their heritage and contributions to the Lone Star State, and it is indeed appropriate to pay tribute to the county and its citizens on this special day; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th Legislature, hereby recognize February 10, 2015, as Bee County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere best wishes for an enjoyable stay in Austin. Zaffirini

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 4, 2015.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate