SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 326

WHEREAS, Residents of Jackson County are gathering in Austin on March 6, 2019, to celebrate Jackson County Day at the State Capitol, and this occasion provides a welcome opportunity to honor the history and achievements of this notable area of the Lone Star State; and

WHEREAS, Located along the Gulf of Mexico, this part of the Coastal Prairie was once inhabited by the Karankawa people, and it is thought that the early European explorers Cabeza de Vaca and La Salle visited the area; in the 1820s, a number of the "Old 300" families in Stephen F. Austin's first colony arrived, and the communities they founded became known as the Alabama Settlement because so many of the new arrivals had previously resided in that state; and

WHEREAS, The area played a central role in the Texas Revolution; it served as a training ground for Texan forces and suffered destruction at the hands of the Mexican Army; after independence was won in 1836, Jackson County was one of the original 23 counties formed in the newly established republic; and

WHEREAS, Cattle ranching and farming became the backbone of the local economy in the mid-1800s, and these businesses remain important to the county today, along with rice, corn, and cotton as prominent crops; moreover, oil and natural gas production has employed many area residents since reserves were discovered in the 1930s; and

WHEREAS, The town of Edna was established in the 1880s as a stop on a new railroad that was built through the coastal region; it quickly eclipsed the existing county seat, Texana, and in 1883, Edna became the center of government operations; other communities in the county include Francitas, Ganado, La Salle, La Ward, Lolita, and Vanderbilt; and

WHEREAS, Encompassing Lake Texana and Lavaca Bay, Jackson County is a great place for boating, fishing, and hiking, and these activities draw many people to sites such as the Brackenridge Recreation Complex, which includes the Brackenridge and Texana parks and campgrounds, as well as the Main Event Center; hunting and bird-watching are also popular, and visitors can learn about local history at the Texana Museum and Old Jail House in Edna; and

WHEREAS, Celebrating their rich and colorful history as they work together to build a bright future, the citizens of Jackson County may take justifiable pride in the important role their unique region continues to play in the story of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th Legislature, hereby recognize March 6, 2019, as Jackson County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation best wishes for an enjoyable and informative stay in Austin. Kolkhorst

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 6, 2019.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate