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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Brewster County Day at the State Capitol offers a |
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special opportunity for county residents and Texans everywhere to |
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celebrate the history and attractions of this unique area; and |
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WHEREAS, Situated in the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas, |
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Brewster County is the largest county in the state, nearly as large |
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as the states of Connecticut and Rhode Island put together; its |
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striking landscape includes mountains, desert, grasslands, and |
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forest, which are rich with a variety of wildlife; and |
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WHEREAS, The rugged terrain discouraged permanent settlement |
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until after the Civil War, when the arrival of the railroad and the |
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presence of the U.S. Army and the Texas Rangers enabled the rise of |
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cattle ranching; Brewster County was established in 1887, after the |
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discovery of mercury in 1884 touched off a mining boom, and by the |
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early 20th century, the Chisos Mining Company was producing 20 |
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percent of the mercury in the nation; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, the cattle industry, education, and tourism |
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are essential to the county's economy and culture; located in the |
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county seat of Alpine, Sul Ross State University offers students a |
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wide range of bachelor's and master's degree programs, as well as a |
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low student-to-teacher ratio; Big Bend National Park features |
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spectacular mountain, desert, and riverine landscapes and attracts |
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up to 350,000 visitors a year, and the Terlingua International |
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Championship Chili Cookoff, which is held every November, draws |
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competitors from across the state and nation; and |
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WHEREAS, The people of Brewster County can take great pride |
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in their region's abundant natural beauty and fascinating history, |
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and it is indeed fitting to honor them and their contributions to |
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the story of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize Brewster County Day at the State |
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Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere best wishes |
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for an informative and enjoyable stay in Austin. |