86R8778 KSM-D
 
  By: Thompson of Brazoria H.R. No. 172
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, Proud citizens of Brazoria County are gathering in
  Austin to celebrate Brazoria County Day at the State Capitol on
  March 5, 2019; and
         WHEREAS, This section of coastal prairie along the Brazos
  River was settled in the 1820s by members of Stephen F. Austin's Old
  Three Hundred; Henry Smith of Brazoria served as the first
  American-born governor of the Mexican territory of Texas and as a
  leader of the movement for independence; the town of Columbia was
  the capital of Texas during the first Texas Congress, and in 1836,
  Brazoria County became one of the original counties established by
  the new republic; and
         WHEREAS, Farming and ranching initially constituted the
  mainstays of the county's economy; the discovery of oil and sulfur
  deposits in the early 20th century helped the region grow, and
  chemical processing became increasingly important during World War
  II and after; commercial fishing and the recreation industry have
  helped to ensure continuing economic development; and
         WHEREAS, Today, the numerous cities and towns of Brazoria
  County boast excellent schools and affordable housing; visitors and
  residents alike take great pleasure in miles of sandy beaches, bay
  and offshore fishing, scuba diving, outstanding bird-watching, and
  the Brazoria and San Bernard National Wildlife Refuges; the county
  is also home to such attractions as the Nolan Ryan Center and the
  Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site, and the county seat of
  Angleton annually hosts the Brazoria County Fair, one of the
  largest events of its kind in Texas; and
         WHEREAS, The educational opportunities available to students
  at Alvin Community College, Brazosport College, and the University
  of Houston-Clear Lake Pearland Campus further enhance the quality
  of life in the county; and
         WHEREAS, The largest chemical complex in North America, the
  Texas Gulf Coast Regional Airport, and a flourishing health care
  industry are among the major contributors to economic growth in the
  county, and Port Freeport, ranked 19th in the United States in
  foreign tonnage, is one of the fastest growing ports on the Gulf
  Coast; and
         WHEREAS, The people of Brazoria County take great pride in
  their rich history as they work together to build an even brighter
  future, and it is indeed appropriate to take this opportunity to
  honor them; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas
  Legislature hereby recognize March 5, 2019, as Brazoria County Day
  at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation best
  wishes for an informative and enjoyable stay in Austin.