H.R. No. 680 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, The year 2021 marks the 175th anniversary of the founding of Burleson County; and WHEREAS, Situated among the rolling hills and the fertile farmland of the Brazos River valley approximately 45 miles east of Austin, Burleson County has a fascinating story; in 1830, the Mexican government placed Fort Tenoxtitlán near the Brazos in an attempt to stop further Anglo-American settlement, but Lieutenant Colonel José Francisco Ruiz, the Texas-born garrison commander, defied orders and allowed more newcomers into the area; a new community and general store arose near the fort, and Caldwell was platted in 1840; and WHEREAS, On March 24, 1846, the state's first Legislature established Burleson County, named in honor of General Edward Burleson, a statesman and a Texas Revolution hero; by 1856, post offices had been established in the county seat of Caldwell and in other communities; over the next several decades, substantial numbers of European immigrants, including Germans, Austrians, Czechs, and Italians, began making their homes across the county; and WHEREAS, Burleson today is home to more than 18,000 residents; rail, agribusiness, and oil and gas economies continue to be important to the region, and the county offers ample opportunities for recreation that include the high quality fishing at Lake Somerville; completed in 1967 on Yegua Creek, the 11,456-acre reservoir and dam provide tourism revenue and much-needed flood protection for the surrounding area; and WHEREAS, Among its accolades, Burleson County has been honored with the Governor's Community Achievement Award; moreover, it has been recognized by Keep Texas Beautiful for its multifaceted efforts; and WHEREAS, Celebrating their rich history as they work to build an even brighter future, the people of Burleson County are justifiably proud of their communities, and it is indeed fitting to recognize the county's myriad contributions to the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the 175th anniversary of Burleson County and extend to its citizens sincere best wishes for the future. Leman ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 680 was adopted by the House on April 23, 2021, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House