Bill Text: TX SR404 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognizing April 12, 2023, as Port Aransas Day.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-04-12 - Reported enrolled [SR404 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-SR404-Enrolled.html
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| WHEREAS, Residents of Port Aransas are gathering in Austin | ||
| on April 12, 2023, to celebrate Port Aransas Day at the State | ||
| Capitol; and | ||
| WHEREAS, In the early 1800s, Mustang Island was frequented | ||
| by the famed buccaneer Jean Lafitte, and in 1855, an English | ||
| sheep and cattle rancher named Robert A. Mercer built a cabin on | ||
| the island; a community developed around the site, and the first | ||
| post office was established in 1888; initially called | ||
| Ropesville, the town was renamed Tarpon eight years later to | ||
| highlight the island's fine fishing, and in 1911, it was | ||
| officially designated as Port Aransas; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The city has since become one of the most popular | ||
| family destinations on the Texas Gulf Coast, and the superb beaches | ||
| draw campers, swimmers, and surfers from across the Lone Star | ||
| State; the town's launching ramps, lighted piers, and jetties | ||
| enable anglers to catch a wide variety of fish, including red | ||
| snapper, redfish, flounder, speckled trout, tuna, and more; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Port Aransas is one of the top bird-watching | ||
| locations in the country, and many areas afford fine | ||
| opportunities to view local species such as herons and roseate | ||
| spoonbills as well as the annual migrations of hummingbirds, | ||
| flycatchers, orioles, and whooping cranes; additionally, | ||
| visitors may delight in the town's art galleries, shops, | ||
| restaurants, and locations of historical interest; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Port Aransas boasts a thriving tourism industry, | ||
| which is an important economic engine for the state, generating | ||
| nearly $18 million in city and state hotel taxes and more than $15 | ||
| million in related sales taxes in 2022; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The community is served by the Port Aransas | ||
| Independent School District, which has consistently earned an A | ||
| accountability rating from the Texas Education Agency, and it | ||
| further benefits from the educational opportunities provided by | ||
| The University of Texas Marine Science Institute, which supports | ||
| sustainability and research in fields vital to the future of the | ||
| Texas coast; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Blessed with natural beauty and a colorful | ||
| history, Port Aransas is one of the Lone Star State's great | ||
| treasures, and its citizens may indeed take pride in their rich | ||
| heritage and ongoing achievements; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas 88th | ||
| Legislature, hereby recognize April 12, 2023, as Port Aransas Day | ||
| at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation | ||
| sincere best wishes for a meaningful and memorable stay in Austin. | ||
| LaMantia | ||
| ________________________________ | ||
| President of the Senate | ||
| I hereby certify that the | ||
| above Resolution was adopted by | ||
| the Senate on April 12, 2023. | ||
| ________________________________ | ||
| Secretary of the Senate | ||
| ________________________________ | ||
| Member, Texas Senate | ||
