H.R. No. 358

	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Proud citizens of Washington County are visiting the
	State Capitol on February 21, 2017, to celebrate their rich
	heritage and the contributions their county has made to the story of
	Texas; and
	WHEREAS, In the early 1820s, members of Stephen F. Austin's
	Old Three Hundred began settling in the area of Washington County,
	and they soon formed a community known as Washington-on-the-Brazos;
	the town became a major center of activity during the Texas
	Revolution, and it was the site of the Convention of 1836, where
	delegates signed the Texas Declaration of Independence and drafted
	a constitution for the new republic; that same year, Washington
	County was formally created, and later, from 1842 to 1845,
	Washington-on-the-Brazos served as the capital of the republic; and
	WHEREAS, The population of the area grew quickly with the
	arrival of newcomers from Germany, Czechoslovakia, and Poland;
	residents had several colleges to choose from, including Baylor
	University, which was established in Independence in 1846, and
	Soule University, which eventually merged with other schools to
	become Southwestern University; today, that early tradition of
	higher education is carried on at Blinn College, founded in 1883, in
	Brenham, the county seat; and
	WHEREAS, The late 1800s were a time of rapid development, and
	as more homes and businesses were built, the need for services to
	protect the community became critical; the Brenham Fire Department
	was established to help meet those needs, and in 2017, it is marking
	its 150th anniversary; and
	WHEREAS, Another venerable organization that was formed to
	serve the citizens of the area is the Washington County Chamber of
	Commerce, which celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding on
	January 31, 2017; among its many accomplishments, the chamber has
	created numerous opportunities for education and networking,
	including an annual 10-month training program, Leadership
	Washington County; and
	WHEREAS, Thanks to its natural beauty and prominent role in
	early Texas history, Washington County is a popular tourist
	destination; visitors can drive scenic country roads, enjoy the
	recreation afforded by Lake Somerville, and step into the past at
	museums in Brenham, Burton, Chappell Hill, and Independence;
	moreover, the Star of the Republic Museum in
	Washington-on-the-Brazos tells the story of the Texas Republic; and
	WHEREAS, Other popular attractions include Blue Bell
	Creameries, an eight-acre antique rose garden, the Downtown Brenham
	historic district, four wineries, a microbrewery, and more than 40
	bed-and-breakfasts; in addition, the area can boast of such
	well-known events as the Washington County Fair, which is the
	oldest county fair in Texas, along with the Burton Cotton Gin
	Festival, the Bluebonnet and Scarecrow Festivals in Chappell Hill,
	and the Brenham Maifest; and
	WHEREAS, Celebrating their rich history as they work to build
	an even brighter future, the residents of Washington County are
	justifiably proud of their community, and it is indeed a pleasure to
	honor 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 February 21, 2017, as Washington
	County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting
	delegation sincere best wishes for a meaningful and memorable stay
	in Austin.
	Schubert
	Morrison
	Straus Goldman Oliverson
	Allen Gonzales of Williamson Ortega
	Alonzo González of El Paso Paddie
	Alvarado Gooden Parker
	Anchia Guerra Paul
	Anderson of Dallas Guillen Perez
	Anderson of McLennan Gutierrez Phelan
	Arévalo Hefner Phillips
	Ashby Hernandez Pickett
	Bailes Herrero Price
	Bell Hinojosa Raney
	Bernal Holland Raymond
	Biedermann Howard Reynolds
	Blanco Huberty Rinaldi
	Bohac Hunter Roberts
	Bonnen of Brazoria Isaac Rodriguez of Bexar
	Bonnen of Galveston Israel Rodriguez of Travis
	Burkett Johnson of Dallas Romero, Jr.
	Burns Johnson of Harris Rose
	Burrows Kacal Sanford
	Button Keough Schaefer
	Cain King of Hemphill Schofield
	Canales King of Parker Schubert
	Capriglione King of Uvalde Shaheen
	Clardy Klick Sheffield
	Coleman Koop Shine
	Collier Krause Simmons
	Cook Kuempel Smithee
	Cortez Lambert Springer
	Cosper Landgraf Stephenson
	Craddick Lang Stickland
	Cyrier Larson Stucky
	Dale Laubenberg Swanson
	Darby Leach Thierry
	Davis of Dallas Longoria Thompson of Brazoria
	Davis of Harris Lozano Thompson of Harris
	Dean Lucio III Tinderholt
	Deshotel Martinez Turner
	Dukes Metcalf Uresti
	Dutton Meyer VanDeaver
	Elkins Miller Villalba
	Faircloth Minjarez Vo
	Fallon Moody Walle
	Farrar Morrison White
	Flynn Muñoz, Jr. Wilson
	Frank Murphy Workman
	Frullo Murr Wray
	Geren Neave Wu
	Gervin-Hawkins Nevárez Zedler
	Giddings Oliveira Zerwas
	______________________________
	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.R. No. 358 was adopted by the House on February
	21, 2017, by a non-record vote.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House