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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 208
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WHEREAS, Proud citizens of Washington County are visiting |
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the State Capitol on February 21, 2017, to celebrate their rich |
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heritage and the contributions their county has made to the story |
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of Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, In the early 1820s, members of Stephen F. Austin's |
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Old Three Hundred began settling in the area of Washington |
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County, and they soon formed a community known as |
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Washington-on-the-Brazos; the town became a major center of |
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activity during the Texas Revolution, and it was the site of the |
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Convention of 1836, where delegates signed the Texas Declaration |
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of Independence and drafted a constitution for the new republic; |
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that same year, Washington County was formally created, and |
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later, from 1842 to 1845, Washington-on-the-Brazos served as the |
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capital of the republic; and |
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WHEREAS, The region attracted substantial immigration and |
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developed quickly; included among the newcomers were Germans, |
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Czechs, and Poles, who began arriving in the mid-19th century; |
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residents had several colleges to choose from, including Baylor |
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University, which was established in Independence in 1846, and |
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Soule University, which eventually merged with other schools to |
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become Southwestern University; today, that early tradition of |
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higher education is carried on at Blinn College, founded in 1883, |
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in Brenham, the county seat; and |
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WHEREAS, Thanks to its natural beauty and prominent role in |
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early Texas history, Washington County is a popular tourist |
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destination; visitors can drive down scenic country roads, enjoy the |
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recreation afforded by Lake Somerville, and step into the past at |
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museums in Brenham, Burton, Chappell Hill, and Independence; |
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moreover, the Star of the Republic Museum in |
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Washington-on-the-Brazos tells the story of the Texas Republic; and |
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WHEREAS, Other popular attractions include Blue Bell |
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Creameries, an eight-acre antique rose garden, the Downtown Brenham |
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historic district, four wineries, a microbrewery, and more than 40 |
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bed and breakfast inns; in addition, the area can boast of such |
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well-known events as the Washington County Fair, which is the oldest |
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county fair in Texas, along with the Burton Cotton Gin Festival, the |
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Bluebonnet and Scarecrow Festivals in Chappell Hill, and the Brenham |
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Maifest; and |
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WHEREAS, This dynamic county is one of the Lone Star |
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State's great treasures, and it is indeed a pleasure to honor the |
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residents of Washington County as they look forward to a bright |
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and promising future; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th |
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Legislature, hereby recognize February 21, 2017, as Washington |
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County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting |
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delegation sincere best wishes for a memorable and enjoyable stay |
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in Austin. |
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Kolkhorst |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on February 15, 2017. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |