Bill Text: TX HR1024 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commemorating the 8th annual World Seagrass Day in Aransas Pass.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)
Status: (Passed) 2017-04-02 - Reported enrolled [HR1024 Detail]
Download: Texas-2017-HR1024-Enrolled.html
| H.R. No. 1024 | ||
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| WHEREAS, The 8th annual World Seagrass Day in Aransas Pass is | ||
| being held on April 7, 2017, to raise awareness of seagrasses and | ||
| the vital role that they play in coastal ecosystems; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Seagrasses are submerged flowering plants found in | ||
| bays, lagoons, and other areas with shallow marine water, including | ||
| the continental shelf of the Gulf of Mexico; an important indicator | ||
| species, the grasses provide food and habitat for marine | ||
| invertebrates, and their ability to sustain fish populations makes | ||
| them particularly important to Aransas Pass and other communities | ||
| that rely on commercial and recreational fishing; in addition, | ||
| seagrasses help to maintain water quality and clarity and stabilize | ||
| the sea floor, which can lessen the impact of waves and potentially | ||
| reduce storm damage; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The self-proclaimed "Seagrass Capital of the | ||
| World," Aransas Pass partially overlaps with the Redfish Bay State | ||
| Scientific Area; designated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife | ||
| Department, this area features around 50 miles of prime fishing | ||
| habitat and 14,000 acres of submerged seagrass beds; since 2006, | ||
| TPWD has regulated public boating activities in the area to prevent | ||
| damage to the grasses, and in 2013, the Texas Legislature followed | ||
| suit by passing House Bill 3279, which requires safe boating | ||
| practices around all seagrass habitats in Texas coastal waters; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Aransas Pass and Live Oak Peninsula are home to the | ||
| Science & Spanish Club Network; this innovative program was started | ||
| by the Gulf of Mexico Foundation with the goal of developing youth | ||
| leadership by teaching stewardship of the Gulf of Mexico and the | ||
| greater Gulf Stream ecosystem; to date, two area campuses, Charlie | ||
| Marshall Elementary in Aransas Pass and Blaschke-Sheldon | ||
| Elementary in Ingleside, have been designated Seagrass Savvy | ||
| Schools by the program, and more are expected to be announced during | ||
| future World Seagrass Day events; and | ||
| WHEREAS, By encouraging Texans to be responsible caretakers | ||
| of seagrasses, the celebration of World Seagrass Day is helping to | ||
| promote the conservation and biodiversity of our state's precious | ||
| coastal ecosystems for this and future generations, and all those | ||
| taking part in this observance are to be commended for supporting | ||
| this crucial cause; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas | ||
| Legislature hereby commemorate the 8th annual World Seagrass Day in | ||
| Aransas Pass and extend to all those in attendance sincere best | ||
| wishes for an enjoyable and informative gathering. | ||
| Morrison | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Speaker of the House | ||
| I certify that H.R. No. 1024 was adopted by the House on March | ||
| 30, 2017, by a non-record vote. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
