SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 238

WHEREAS, Residents of Matagorda County are gathering in Austin on March 18, 2025, to celebrate Matagorda County Day at the State Capitol; and

WHEREAS, Matagorda County, one of the oldest counties in Texas, derives its name from the Spanish term for "thick brush," referencing the canebrakes that once lined its shores along the Gulf Coast; located between Galveston and Corpus Christi, 72 miles southwest of Houston, the county offers residents easy access to a major metropolitan area while preserving the quiet lifestyle of a rural South Texas community; and

WHEREAS, Bay City, the county seat of Matagorda County, is often called the "Gateway to the Great Outdoors"; founded in 1894, the city was named for its location in the center of a vast coastal prairie, which has been known as "Bay Prairie" since the time of Stephen F. Austin; although located 25 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, the Port of Bay City was constructed in the 1960s to connect the city to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway via the Colorado River, and it proudly serves both the industrial and recreational needs of the county; and

WHEREAS, Matagorda County is known for its abundant wildlife, diverse geography, and rich natural resources; the county is believed to be home to more species of birds than anywhere else in the country during certain times of the year; its marshes, coastal prairies, rivers, and forests provide outstanding birding opportunities, with three Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail loops encompassing 17 observation sites; the Matagorda County Birding Nature Center and LCRA Matagorda Bay Nature Park are ideal places to learn about birds, gardening, wildlife, and native plants; in addition to its avian attractions, the county's bays are teeming with redfish, flounder, trout, crab, oysters, and shrimp, and the Port of Palacios is one of the largest shrimping ports in Texas, home to more than 125 shrimp boats; and

WHEREAS, The county's economy is driven by ranching, farming, and petroleum, with additional economic strength provided by the South Texas Project; the county is also home to international companies such as Tenaris Bay City, OQ Chemicals Corporation, and LyondellBasell, and it has recently welcomed HIF USA, Air Liquide, and Roehm America LLC to the area; moreover, Matagorda County is seeing significant growth in residential development, with over 800 housing starts, as well as an influx of new retail outlets and restaurants; and

WHEREAS, Matagorda County is blessed with a rich history and abundant natural resources, and its residents may take great pride in their county's legacy and bright future; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th Legislature, hereby recognize March 18, 2025, as Matagorda County Day at the State Capitol and extend a warm welcome to the visiting delegation.

Huffman

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 18, 2025.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate