Lawmakers and Gators
Chambers County Clerk Heather Hawthorne, Tommy Henry, County Judge Jimmy Sylvia, Commissioner Pct. 2 Mark Tice, Commissioner Pct. 4 Ryan Dagley and Commissioner Pct. 3 Tommy Hammond promote Gatorfest with live alligators while visiting Austin.
Anahuac Middle and High School students look to the top of the rotunda as the tour guide explains details of the presidents and governors’ portrait gallery.
AUSTIN— Chambers County Day was a special day as state representatives and senators acknowledged the importance of the county to the Lone Star State.
On Wednesday, Feb. 12, elected officials, other county representatives and four juvenile alligators headed to the Texas Capitol to celebrate and honor Chambers County.
“Chambers County Day today was very nice,” County Judge Jimmy Sylvia said. “We had a really good contingency of Chambers County folks that showed up, probably the biggest one so far. Had many schoolchildren and lots of community leaders. The committee worked hard to put this on.”
Chambers County Day began with a Legislative Session in the House of Representatives. Texas House District 23 Rep. Terri Leo Wilson introduced House Resolution 109, which later passed, officially recognizing the day as Chambers County Day.
“Today, we recognize the rich history, vibrant communities and hardworking citizens that make Chambers County such an integral part of our great state,” Leo Wilson said. “Chambers County is a place where history and progress go hand in hand, and its citizens can take great pride in the contributions they make to our state’s economy, culture and heritage.”
Leo Wilson invited Sylvia and Commissioners Jimmy Gore, Pct. 1; Mark Tice, Pt. 2; Tommy Hammond, Pct. 3; and Ryan Dagley, Pct. 4, to the floor to be recognized for their dedication to the county’s continued development.
Leo Wilson also introduced HR 28, which later passed, commemorating Adrian Combs, son of past Commissioner Pct. 4 Billy Combs. Family members were in attendance, including his wife, parents and brother.
“Adrian was known for his generosity, his sense of humor and his deep love for his family,” Leo Wilson said. “Though his passing was a great loss, his legacy will endure. It is my honor to present this resolution as a testament to his life and to ensure that his name and his impact on Chambers County will not be forgotten.”
In the Senate, Texas District 4 Sen. Brandon Creighton introduced Senate Resolution 74 recognizing the day as Chambers County Day.
“The county has a long and colorful history. It is said to be the first shots of the Texas Revolution took place,” Creighton said. “They have played a significant role in the development of the Lone Star State.”
Creighton said the county is a fisherman’s paradise and it is a “crucial part of our Texas economy.”
Creighton recognized Sylvia and the commissioners for their dedication to serving the county as well as Anahuac and Mont Belvieu. Also recognized were Anahuac and Barbers Hill Independent School Districts.
Later in the day, students toured the Capitol, learning the history of the building and how Anahuac impacted the Texas Revolution.
At one point in time, Thomas Jefferson Chambers owned the land currently occupied by the Texas Capitol, according to Councilwoman Meredith Turner-Croyle, later confirmed by the Texas State Historical Association website.
In the evening, a reception was held at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, where representatives from across Texas enjoyed conversing with county residents.
Jacque White, Chambers County nature tourism committee chair, brought four live juvenile alligators to the reception to promote Gatorfest. County residents and state employees enjoyed holding the alligators and dressing them in bows and ties.
“The main purpose is to get the name Chambers County in the Legislature, so they’ll know us,” Sylvia said.