86R20488 KSM-D

By: Nevárez H.R. No. 883

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Residents of Kinney County are gathering in Austin on March 19, 2019, to celebrate Kinney County Day at the State Capitol; and

WHEREAS, Located west of San Antonio in the Rio Grande Plains region, Kinney County was first populated as long as 10,000 years ago, according to the archeological evidence found in rock shelters; early Spanish explorers visited the area, and in 1665, Fernando de Azcué, credited as the first European to cross the Rio Grande, passed through what would become the southeastern corner of the county; although the region remained sparsely settled, the Texas Legislature carved it out of Bexar County in 1850, and it was named after pioneer Henry Lawrence Kinney; and

WHEREAS, In 1852, the United States Army established Fort Riley, soon redesignated as Fort Clark, along Las Moras Creek, and the community of Brackett was founded; named for local merchant Oscar B. Brackett, it became known as Brackettville, and it is today the county's seat and largest city; the fort later became the base for a small company of Black Seminole Indian scouts, and in 1872, the Black Seminole Indian Scout Cemetery was sited there; and

WHEREAS, Through the years, cattle ranching has dominated the county's economy, and wool and mohair production played an important part in the nation's war effort during World War II; today, tourists are drawn to the area by a variety of noteworthy attractions, among them Kickapoo Cavern State Park, Las Moras Springs park, and Fort Clark; and

WHEREAS, The citizens of Kinney County are confidently facing the future while continuing to embrace their rich and colorful past, and it is indeed a pleasure to honor them at this time; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas Legislature hereby recognize March 19, 2019, as Kinney County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere best wishes for a meaningful and memorable stay in Austin.