We got the Bay City Sentinel earlier than usual in order for me to cover Matagorda Day in Austin.
Organized by a determined team of volunteers here, the event has been held every two years – timed with the Texas legislature’s latest session.
An exception to that was in 2021, when Matagorda Day was canceled along with many other things because of the pandemic.
This year’s Matagorda Day team will arrive in Austin Monday to make the rounds with state officials with the main aim of inviting them to a reception at the Omni Hotel Tuesday evening.
That mainly brings Matagorda County residents and state officials together to give local folks the chance to impress on those officials the county’s importance.
After all, we’re a county with a terrific agriculture community, shrimping and other seafood and our industrial base is brimming with new companies who see the promise we have.
I’d say that’s one of the main aspects of this day, and there are other significant benchmarks to us traveling to Austin.
Tuesday’s busy agenda begins with a group photo – that hopefully will be quite large as I write this Sunday evening – in the rotunda of the state capitol.
This is a photo I’ve enjoyed taking over the years from the second floor gallery – my first Matagorda Day was in 1999.
Next up are visits to the House and Senate chambers where Matagorda Day will be announced.
A major part of the visits is honoring – in both the house and senate - three great Matagorda County leaders who have passed in recent years: Haskell Simon, Richard Knapik and Tom Uher.
The men will be recognized with resolutions in both the house and senate.
I considered all three close personal friends.
Matagorda County floor guests for the senate include Erik Frankson, Stuart Lynn, Tim Powell, Judge Bobby Seiferman and Warren Robicheaux.
Local floor guests in the house are Tiffany Foltyn, Mayor Jim Gardner, Mayor Robert Nelson, Jessica Russell and Tami Savage.
Another part of the trip involves Matagorda County business and economic leaders meeting with state people who are part of Texas’ economic development projects.
Good things could emerge from those talks obviously.
And, while that’s going on, Matagorda County residents are encouraged to visit the offices of our local representatives: State Rep. Geanie Morrison and State Sen. Joan Huffman.
I will do my best to cover this, especially in honor of Bobby Wilkinson.
Bobby has been organizing these Matagorda Days since 1994 and said this one will be his last.
He’s done a great job helping boost Matagorda County to the rest of Texas.
