TITLE: Recognizing February 28, 2019, as Aransas County Day.

SUMMARY: Recognizing February 28, 2019, as Aransas County Day.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Proud residents of Aransas County are gathering in Austin to celebrate Aransas County Day at the State Capitol on February 28, 2019; and WHEREAS, This region of thousand-year-old oaks, coastal prairie, and sandy beaches was first inhabited by native peoples 8,000 years ago; and WHEREAS, In 1828, the Mexican government awarded an empresario grant to bring in settlers from Ireland and Mexico, and not long after the Civil War, in the mid-1860s, the towns of Fulton and Rockport were founded as ports for the cattle business; Aransas County was formed in 1871 and named after a Spanish palace; and WHEREAS, Aransas County is the gateway to the nearly 115,000-acre Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, where North America's largest wild colony of the endangered whooping crane spends the winter, and to Goose Island State Park, which has between 150,000 and 200,000 visitors annually; and WHEREAS, Rockport and Fulton Harbors are the home ports of many popular boating excursions for birders, dolphin watchers, and devotees of deep-sea and bay fishing, and the area offers many first-rate opportunities for angling; and WHEREAS, The county's history is evoked by the 19th century Fulton Mansion and the 1870s Victorian-style Aransas County History Center, while the official Texas Maritime Museum in Rockport celebrates the marine heritage of the Lone Star State; theRockportCenterfortheArtsisahubforthe region's thriving cultural scene, and the area's festive annual events include the Bountiful Bowl Pottery Fair, the Fulton Oysterfest, the Rockport Film Festival, the HummerBird Celebration, LaMardi Gras, and the Rockport Festival of Wines; and WHEREAS, Aransas County was faced with multiple challenges when Hurricane Harvey made its first devastating landfall and directly hit Rockport in August of 2017; the county's citizens displayed uncommon courage and resilience in the wake of the storm, and due to their steadfast efforts, the area is well on its way to recovery; and WHEREAS, One of the treasures of the Lone Star State, Aransas County is blessed with more magnificent bays than land, more redfish and trout than cars, and a chamber of commerce with a five-star rating; its citizens may indeed take great pride in their heritage and look forward to a future filled with opportunity and good times; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th Legislature, hereby recognize February 28, 2019, as Aransas County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere best wishes for a rewarding visit to Austin. Kolkhorst President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 26, 2019.