SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 78
	WHEREAS, Many proud residents of Matagorda County are
	gathering in Austin on February 10, 2015, to celebrate Matagorda
	County Day at the State Capitol; and
	WHEREAS, One of the oldest counties in Texas, Matagorda
	County is located between Galveston and Corpus Christi along the
	Gulf Coast; it derives its name from the Spanish word for "thick
	brush," referring to the canebrakes that once lined its shores;
	the county is 72 miles southwest of Houston; its location allows
	residents easy access to a large metropolitan city while
	providing them the quiet lifestyle of a rural South Texas
	community; and
	WHEREAS, Noted for its abundant wildlife, Matagorda County
	has more species of birds than any other county in the United
	States; its diverse geography, from marshes and coastal prairies
	to rivers and forests, affords outstanding birding
	opportunities, and the Matagorda County Birding Nature Center is
	an ideal place to learn about birds, gardening, wildlife, and
	native plants; the county is home to three Great Texas Coastal
	Birding Trail loops encompassing 17 observation sites; and
	WHEREAS, The county's bays are filled with redfish,
	flounder, trout, crab, and shrimp, and the Port of Palacios is
	home to more than 200 shrimp boats and handles more commercial
	shrimp than any other Texas port; and
	WHEREAS, Ranching, farming, and petroleum remain
	important, and the county benefits from the presence of the South
	Texas project; moreover, it recently became the home of
	TenarisBayCity, an international pipe manufacturing company; and
	WHEREAS, Bay City is the county seat of Matagorda County
	and is known as "the gateway to the great outdoors"; it was
	founded in 1849 and named for its location in the center of a vast
	coastal prairie known from the time of Stephen F. Austin as "Bay
	Prairie"; although the city is 25 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, a
	port was constructed in the 1960s to link it to the Gulf
	Intracoastal Waterway via the Colorado River; and
	WHEREAS, Matagorda County is blessed with a rich history
	and abundant natural resources, and its residents may take great
	pride in their county's legacy and bright future; now, therefore,
	be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th
	Legislature, hereby recognize February 10, 2015, as Matagorda
	County Day at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting
	delegation sincere best wishes for a memorable and meaningful
	stay in Austin; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
	prepared in honor of this special day.
	Kolkhorst
		________________________________
		President of the Senate
		I hereby certify that the
		above Resolution was adopted by
		the Senate on February 2, 2015.
		________________________________
		Secretary of the Senate
		________________________________
		Member, Texas Senate