HR381 - Recognizing February 26, 2025, as Washington County Day at the State Capitol.

      H.R. No. 381       R E S O L U T I O N          WHEREAS, Proud residents of Washington County are gathering   in Austin on February 26, 2025, 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   Plantation State Historic Site 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 89th Texas   Legislature hereby recognize February 26, 2025, as Washington   County Day at the State Capitol and extend a warm welcome to the   visiting delegation.     Wharton     ______________________________   Speaker of the House                 I certify that H.R. No. 381 was adopted by the House on March   13, 2025, by a non-record vote.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House