Bill Text: TX SR208 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognizing February 21, 2017, as Washington County Day.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2017-02-21 - Again read [SR208 Detail]
Download: Texas-2017-SR208-Enrolled.html
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WHEREAS, Proud citizens of Washington County are visiting | ||
the State Capitol on February 21, 2017, to celebrate their rich | ||
heritage and the contributions their county has made to the story | ||
of Texas; and | ||
WHEREAS, In the early 1820s, members of Stephen F. Austin's | ||
Old Three Hundred began settling in the area of Washington | ||
County, and they soon formed a community known as | ||
Washington-on-the-Brazos; the town became a major center of | ||
activity during the Texas Revolution, and it was the site of the | ||
Convention of 1836, where delegates signed the Texas Declaration | ||
of Independence and drafted a constitution for the new republic; | ||
that same year, Washington County was formally created, and | ||
later, from 1842 to 1845, Washington-on-the-Brazos served as the | ||
capital of the republic; and | ||
WHEREAS, The region attracted substantial immigration and | ||
developed quickly; included among the newcomers were Germans, | ||
Czechs, and Poles, who began arriving in the mid-19th century; | ||
residents had several colleges to choose from, including Baylor | ||
University, which was established in Independence in 1846, and | ||
Soule University, which eventually merged with other schools to | ||
become Southwestern University; today, that early tradition of | ||
higher education is carried on at Blinn College, founded in 1883, | ||
in Brenham, the county seat; and | ||
WHEREAS, Thanks to its natural beauty and prominent role in | ||
early Texas history, Washington County is a popular tourist | ||
destination; visitors can drive down scenic country roads, enjoy the | ||
recreation afforded by Lake Somerville, and step into the past at | ||
museums in Brenham, Burton, Chappell Hill, and Independence; | ||
moreover, the Star of the Republic Museum in | ||
Washington-on-the-Brazos tells the story of the Texas Republic; and | ||
WHEREAS, Other popular attractions include Blue Bell | ||
Creameries, an eight-acre antique rose garden, the Downtown Brenham | ||
historic district, four wineries, a microbrewery, and more than 40 | ||
bed and breakfast inns; in addition, the area can boast of such | ||
well-known events as the Washington County Fair, which is the oldest | ||
county fair in Texas, along with the Burton Cotton Gin Festival, the | ||
Bluebonnet and Scarecrow Festivals in Chappell Hill, and the Brenham | ||
Maifest; and | ||
WHEREAS, This dynamic county is one of the Lone Star | ||
State's great treasures, and it is indeed a pleasure to honor the | ||
residents of Washington County as they look forward to a bright | ||
and promising future; now, therefore, be it | ||
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th | ||
Legislature, hereby recognize February 21, 2017, as Washington | ||
County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting | ||
delegation sincere best wishes for a memorable and enjoyable stay | ||
in Austin. | ||
Kolkhorst | ||
________________________________ | ||
President of the Senate | ||
I hereby certify that the | ||
above Resolution was adopted by | ||
the Senate on February 15, 2017. | ||
________________________________ | ||
Secretary of the Senate | ||
________________________________ | ||
Member, Texas Senate |