Bill Text: TX HR303 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognizing February 27, 2023, as Washington County Day at the State Capitol.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-02-22 - Reported enrolled [HR303 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-HR303-Enrolled.html
H.R. No. 303 |
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WHEREAS, Proud residents of Washington County are gathering | ||
in Austin on February 27, 2023, to celebrate the unique role their | ||
county has played in the history and ongoing development of the Lone | ||
Star State; and | ||
WHEREAS, In 1821, settlers recruited by Stephen F. Austin | ||
began to homestead this region of rolling hills just west of the | ||
Brazos River; during the Texas Revolution, the ferry crossing known | ||
as Washington-on-the-Brazos became the headquarters of General Sam | ||
Houston and the site of the Convention of 1836, which declared the | ||
independence of Texas; the town was the capital of the new republic | ||
from 1842 to 1845; and | ||
WHEREAS, Washington County was organized in 1837, and Brenham | ||
became the county seat in 1844; the county's prospects were | ||
improved by the thousands of immigrants from Germany and Poland who | ||
arrived during the 1860s and 1870s, and its economy was further | ||
spurred by the arrival of the railroad in 1880; in those years, | ||
cotton, corn, and poultry were the region's mainstays; and | ||
WHEREAS, The area played an important role in the history of | ||
higher education in Texas; Baylor University was founded in the | ||
county in 1846, and in 1855 Soule University was founded in Chappell | ||
Hill; today, Blinn College in Brenham carries on the proud | ||
tradition; and | ||
WHEREAS, Washington County's central role in the history of | ||
Texas draws visitors from across the state and nation; the Star of | ||
the Republic Museum, Independence Hall, and the Barrington Living | ||
History Farm at the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site | ||
vividly evoke the years of the Texas Republic; the Chappell Hill | ||
Historic District includes a historical museum and a Masonic | ||
cemetery with descendants of William B. Travis and is the site of | ||
the "Official Bluebonnet Festival of Texas," which is held each | ||
year in April; and | ||
WHEREAS, Other popular attractions include the recreation | ||
opportunities of Lake Somerville, local wineries, dozens of bed and | ||
breakfast lodging properties, the Antique Rose Emporium, the | ||
county's scenic country roads where wildflowers bloom in profusion, | ||
Unity Theatre, and the Barnhill Center; the county also benefits | ||
economically from the presence of Blue Bell Creameries, where one | ||
of the nation's best-selling brands of ice cream is made, as well as | ||
major production and global distribution facilities for BRIANNAS | ||
Fine Salad Dressings and its parent corporation, Del Sol Food | ||
Company; and | ||
WHEREAS, Honoring their rich history as they continue to | ||
build an even brighter future, the residents of Washington County | ||
have many reasons to be proud of the place they call home; now, | ||
therefore, be it | ||
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas | ||
Legislature hereby recognize February 27, 2023, as Washington | ||
County Day at the State Capitol and extend a warm welcome to the | ||
visiting delegation. | ||
Kacal | ||
______________________________ | ||
Speaker of the House | ||
I certify that H.R. No. 303 was adopted by the House on | ||
February 22, 2023, by a non-record vote. | ||
______________________________ | ||
Chief Clerk of the House | ||