TITLE: Commemorating the centennial of Real County.

SUMMARY: Commemorating the centennial of Real County.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Proud residents of Real County are beginning a yearlong celebration of the county's centennial with a Birthday Bash Weekend on April 5 and 6, 2013; and WHEREAS, Situated among the rugged canyonlands of the Balcones Escarpment, this striking country was first inhabited by Paleo-Americans 7,000 years ago; later residents and visitors included the Tonkawa Indians, the Lipan Apaches, and Franciscan priests of the Spanish empire; John and Nancy Leakey were among the first Anglo pioneers in 1856, settling in Frio Canyon near the site of the town that now bears their name; the community of Rio Frio was settled around the same time, and Camp Wood was created by the U.S. military in 1857 and later used by the Confederate Army and the Texas Rangers; and WHEREAS, Leakey originally served as the seat of Edwards County, but in 1891, the county seat was moved to Rocksprings, requiring citizens of Leakey to travel on horseback through difficult terrain to do any official business; as a result, on April 3, 1913, the Texas Legislature created a new county out of parts of Edwards, Bandera, and Kerr Counties, with its seat in Leakey; originally slated to be called Murphy County, the name was changed to honor Julius Real, a former county judge and the only Republican at the time in the Texas State Senate; and WHEREAS, Throughout 2013, the county's residents are celebrating their first 100 years with a variety of events; the Birthday Bash Weekend will include the unveiling of a Texas Historical Marker, a golf tournament, a quilt exhibit, a mohair style show, and a barbecue and street dance, to be followed by Pioneer Days in late April, when the lifestyle and activities of the county's original settlers will be reenacted; and WHEREAS, The festivities continue on Labor Day Weekend, which will feature the performance of a melodrama based on the county's history, and again in October, with the Camp Wood Centennial Celebration, which will include a parade, a salsa cook-off, and a cowboy symposium; regular annual events such as the Frio Canyon July Jubilee and the Nueces Canyon Old Settlers Reunion will also incorporate the theme of the centennial; and WHEREAS, Real County's distinctive landscape and rich heritage represent a unique contribution to the history of the Lone Star State, and the people of the county may take justifiable pride in their strong community ties and independent spirit; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the centennial of Real County and extend to the county's residents sincere best wishes for a meaningful and memorable year of celebration; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Real County as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Hilderbran Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1025 was adopted by the House on March 27, 2013, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House