SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 285

WHEREAS, Proud citizens of Brazoria County are gathering in Austin to celebrate Brazoria County Day at the State Capitol on March 3, 2015; and

WHEREAS, This section of coastal prairie along the Brazos River was inhabited during the first three centuries of Texas' recorded history by the nomadic Karankawa Indians; the Spanish explorer Cabeza de Vaca passed through the region as early as 1528, and the pirate Jean Lafitte was rumored to have used the mouth of the Brazos as a refuge; and

WHEREAS, The region was settled in the 1820s by members of Stephen F. Austin's Old Three Hundred; Henry Smith of Brazoria served as the first American-born governor of the Mexican territory of Texas and as a leader of the movement for independence, and the town of Columbia served as the capital of Texas during the first Texas Congress; in 1836, Brazoria County became one of the original counties established by the new republic; and

WHEREAS, Farming and ranching initially constituted the mainstays of the county's economy; the discovery of oil and sulfur deposits in the early 20th century helped the region grow, and chemical processing became increasingly important during World War II and after; commercial fishing and the recreation industry have helped to ensure continuing economic development; and

WHEREAS, Today, the 24 cities of Brazoria County boast excellent schools and affordable housing; visitors and residents alike take great pleasure in miles of sandy beaches, bay and offshore fishing, scuba diving, outstanding bird-watching, and the Brazoria and San Bernard National Wildlife Refuges; the county is also home to many antique shops and scenic parks, one of the largest county fairs in Texas, and the Nolan Ryan Center; and

WHEREAS, The educational opportunities available to students at Alvin Community College, Brazosport College, and the University of Houston-Clear Lake Pearland Campus further contribute to the county's many amenities; and

WHEREAS, The largest chemical complex in North America, the Texas Gulf Coast Regional Airport, and a flourishing health care industry are among the major contributors to economic growth in the county, and Port Freeport, ranked 24th in the United States in foreign tonnage, is one of the fastest growing ports on the Gulf Coast; and

WHEREAS, Even as they celebrate their rich heritage, the hardworking citizens of Brazoria County are looking ahead to the opportunities of the future and continuing to contribute greatly to the growth and prosperity of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th Legislature, hereby recognize March 3, 2015, as Brazoria County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation best wishes for a memorable and meaningful stay in Austin.

Huffman, Taylor of Galveston

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 3, 2015.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate

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Member, Texas Senate