88R9692 CW-D
 
  By: Lozano H.R. No. 118
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, Proud residents of Bee County are gathering at the
  State Capitol to celebrate Bee County Day on February 8, 2023; and
         WHEREAS, While artifacts indicate that the region was
  originally inhabited 6,000 to 10,000 years ago, the first permanent
  European settlers arrived in the early 19th century, and 11 area
  landowners were among the signers of the Texas Declaration of
  Independence; and
         WHEREAS, Bee County was officially organized on January 25,
  1858, and named for Barnard E. Bee Sr., a South Carolina attorney,
  soldier, and statesman who joined the Army of the Republic of Texas
  and later served as secretary of war under Sam Houston; and
         WHEREAS, Located in the South Texas Plains vegetation region,
  the county covers 866 square miles that slope gently toward the Gulf
  Coast, and with open expanses of grasslands, its economy is
  dominated by farming, ranching, and agribusiness, along with oil
  and gas operations; and
         WHEREAS, Bee County citizens can take pride in an array of
  attractions for residents and visitors to explore; Beeville is the
  county seat, and it has successfully revitalized its downtown
  district and has been named a Texas Main Street City by the Texas
  Historical Commission; Coastal Bend College-Beeville offers
  occupational as well as academic classes for its students, and it
  has the oldest academic educational glassblowing facility in the
  state; the Beeville Art Museum, which is funded by the Joe Barnhart
  Foundation, is housed in the beautiful and historic Esther Barnhart
  House; in addition, visitors come from all across Texas to
  celebrate the state's rich traditions at Western Week; other towns
  in the county include Skidmore, Blue Berry Hill, Pettus, Tuleta,
  Tynan, Pawnee, Normanna, and Mineral; and
         WHEREAS, Residents of Bee County are working together to
  build an even brighter future, and this special day provides a
  fitting opportunity to pay tribute to the county and its people;
  now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
  Legislature hereby recognize February 8, 2023, as Bee County Day at
  the State Capitol and extend a warm welcome to the visiting
  delegation.