SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 61

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 its 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, recognized as an ideal place to live, learn, and raise a family, 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, Honoring their rich heritage as they work toward building an even brighter future, the citizens of Waller County have many reasons to be proud of the place they call home; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th 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 enjoyable stay in Austin. Kolkhorst

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on January 30, 2017.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate