H.R. No. 206
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
 
         WHEREAS, Proud residents of Waller County are gathering in
  Austin on January 31, 2017, to celebrate Waller County Day at the
  State Capitol; and
         WHEREAS, The Waller County area was originally settled by
  members of Stephen F. Austin's Old Three Hundred during the 1820s;
  shortly thereafter, it became the site of perhaps the first cotton
  plantation in Texas, which was used as an encampment by members of
  General Sam Houston's army during the Texas Revolution; in 1873,
  the county was carved from sections of Austin and Grimes Counties
  and named after Edwin Waller, a signer of the Texas Declaration of
  Independence and the first mayor of Austin; and
         WHEREAS, Waller County's growth was chiefly driven by
  agriculture, with cotton, corn, and cattle serving as mainstays
  until the discovery of petroleum in the 1930s helped to diversify
  the economy; today, farming, ranching, and mineral resources are
  important to the area, and its rural character and proximity to
  Houston have made it an attractive destination for new residents;
  additionally, opportunities abound for hunting and fishing, and the
  region's natural beauty and wildlife can be experienced at the Katy
  Prairie, a coastal grassland area that is a haven for
  bird-watchers; and
         WHEREAS, Hempstead is the county seat and the host of the
  annual Waller County Fair and its summertime Watermelon Festival, a
  favorite of residents and visitors alike; Prairie View is home to
  Prairie View A&M University, the second-oldest public institution
  of higher learning in the state, and Brookshire is a quaint rural
  town that is the location of the Brookwood Community as well as
  several international companies that serve as major employers;
  while only parts of Waller and Katy are in the county, they are both
  fast-growing cities that boast excellent schools and contribute
  greatly to the culture and prosperity of the area; and
         WHEREAS, The people of Waller County take great pride in
  their rich history as they work to build an even brighter future,
  and it is indeed fitting to honor them and their contributions to
  the story of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
  Legislature hereby recognize January 31, 2017, as Waller County Day
  at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere
  best wishes for an informative and enjoyable stay in Austin.
 
  Bell
 
  ______________________________
  Speaker of the House     
 
         I certify that H.R. No. 206 was adopted by the House on
  January 31, 2017, by a non-record vote.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House