Bill Text: TX HR1183 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Enrolled

Texas House Resolution 1183 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Recognizing May 3, 2017, as Moonlight Tower Day.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2017-04-11 - Reported enrolled [HR1183 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-HR1183-Enrolled.html



	H.R. No. 1183



	R E S O L U T I O N

	WHEREAS, Proud residents of Austin are celebrating one of the
	city's distinctive features on May 3, 2017, with the observance of
	Moonlight Tower Day; and
	WHEREAS, In the late 19th century, various designs of
	electrical moonlight towers were erected in cities across the
	globe, including Detroit, New Orleans, Los Angeles, San Francisco,
	and London; Austin civic leaders, looking to light the city's
	streets with power from the newly completed Great Granite Dam,
	contracted with the Fort Wayne Electric Company to construct
	moonlight towers around the city; and
	WHEREAS, The company built 31 towers in 1894 and 1895, all 165
	feet tall with six carbon arc lamps mounted at the top; each tower
	was guaranteed to provide enough light to read a watch within a
	1,500-foot radius of the structure; the first tower was assembled
	in the newly established Hyde Park subdivision, and the others were
	strategically placed to illuminate as much of the city as possible;
	and
	WHEREAS, Through the years, nearly half of the towers have
	been lost to storms, accidents, and development, but 17 of them
	continue to stand and to provide the city with light; officially
	designated as state archaeological landmarks in 1970 and added to
	the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, they were
	prominently featured in the popular film Dazed and Confused, and
	one of the structures serves as the pivotal center of the annual
	Zilker Holiday Tree; and
	WHEREAS, In commemoration of the centennial of the
	installation of the towers, Austin Energy, the municipal electric
	utility company, thoroughly restored the remaining towers in 1993
	at a cost of $1.3 million; with extraordinary care and expertise,
	the company continues to keep the structures fully operational,
	adding to the unique spirit of the city; and
	WHEREAS, Today, Austin is the only city in the world to
	feature moonlight towers, which provide a vital link to the rich
	history of the community, and it is truly fitting that a day be set
	aside to pay tribute to these iconic local landmarks; now,
	therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
	Legislature hereby recognize May 3, 2017, as Moonlight Tower Day
	and encourage residents in Austin and across the Lone Star State to
	celebrate this unique element of the Capital City.

	Howard

	______________________________
	Speaker of the House

	I certify that H.R. No. 1183 was adopted by the House on April
	6, 2017, by a non-record vote.

	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House