SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 179

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes great pleasure in joining the citizens of Chambers County for the celebration of Chambers County Day at the Capitol on February 13, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Chambers County is situated on 600 square miles of Gulf Coast plains, and it has a long and colorful history; in 1756, Spaniards erected a mission and presidio near present-day Wallisville to secure their control of the region, and in 1818, a group of French supporters of Napoleon Bonaparte established a short-lived colony near present-day Anahuac; later, in 1832 and 1835, disturbances at Anahuac between Anglo settlers and Mexican authorities foreshadowed the Texas Revolution; and

WHEREAS, Chambers County was created from portions of Liberty and Jefferson Counties in 1858 and named in honor of a prominent local resident, General T. J. Chambers; Wallisville served as the county seat until 1908, when Anahuac assumed that role; other communities in the county today include Beach City, Cove, Double Bayou, Hankamer, Mont Belvieu, Oak Island, Old River-Winfree, Smith Point, Stowell, and Winnie; and

WHEREAS, Countless tourists are drawn to many attractions and events offered by Chambers County; Anahuac, officially known as the Alligator Capital of Texas, hosts the Texas Gatorfest each September at Fort Anahuac Park, the site of early Texas resistance to Mexican rule; another major celebration is the Texas Rice Festival, which is held in September and October; and

WHEREAS, Visitors are also drawn by historic sites, excellent golf courses, and bountiful opportunities for birding, fishing, hunting, crabbing, boating, and photography; among the standout attractions are Wallisville Heritage Park, Houston Raceway Park, Moody National Wildlife Refuge, Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, and the Corps of Engineers Trinity River Recreation Area; and

WHEREAS, In addition to tourism, other enterprises that contribute to the county's economy include the petroleum industry, chemical plants, agribusiness, fish and oyster processing, and manufacturing; and

WHEREAS, Chambers County is situated between the Houston metroplex and the Golden Triangle of Beaumont-Orange-Port Arthur, and it offers its people the best of both worlds--quiet, rural living and convenient access to big-city amenities; and

WHEREAS, The residents of Chambers County are justifiably proud of their achievements, for this noteworthy region and its citizens have played a significant role in the development of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th Legislature, hereby declare February 13, 2019, Chambers County Day at the Capitol and extend a warm welcome to the fine citizens who have traveled to Austin to celebrate this occasion; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the people of Chambers County as a memento of this special occasion. Creighton

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 13, 2019.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate