| |
| |
|
|
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. |