H.R. No. 369
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
 
         WHEREAS, Proud citizens of Brewster County are gathering at
  the State Capitol today to celebrate Brewster County Day; and
         WHEREAS, Located in the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas, the
  striking landscape of Brewster County incorporates mountains,
  desert, grasslands, and forest, which are rich with wildlife such
  as pronghorn antelope, white-tail deer, bighorn sheep, mountain
  lions, black bears, and coyotes; and
         WHEREAS, The region was first inhabited by nomadic hunters
  9,000 years ago, and people began growing crops there 1,000 years
  ago; the first Spanish explorers arrived in the 16th century, but
  the rugged terrain discouraged permanent settlement until after the
  Civil War, when the arrival of the railroad and the presence of the
  U.S. Army and the Texas Rangers enabled the rise of cattle
  ranching; and
         WHEREAS, Established in 1887, Brewster County is the largest
  county in Texas, nearly as large as the states of Connecticut and
  Rhode Island put together; the discovery of mercury in 1884 touched
  off a mining boom, and by the early 20th century, the Chisos Mining
  Company was producing 20 percent of the mercury in the nation; and
         WHEREAS, Today, the cattle industry, education, and tourism
  are essential to the county's economy and culture; situated in the
  county seat of Alpine, Sul Ross State University offers students a
  wide range of bachelor's and master's degree programs, as well as a
  low student-to-teacher ratio; Big Bend National Park features
  spectacular mountain, desert, and riverine landscapes and attracts
  up to 350,000 visitors a year, and the Terlingua International
  Chili Championship, which is held every November, draws competitors
  from across the state and nation; and
         WHEREAS, The citizens of Brewster County are justifiably
  proud of their region's great natural beauty, its rich history, and
  its unique place in the story of the Lone Star State; now,
  therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
  Legislature hereby recognize Brewster County Day at the State
  Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere best wishes
  for a meaningful and memorable stay in Austin.
 
  Nevárez
 
  ______________________________
  Speaker of the House     
 
         I certify that H.R. No. 369 was adopted by the House on
  February 19, 2015, by a non-record vote.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House