Bill Text: TX HR125 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognizing February 9, 2011, as Port Aransas Day at the State Capitol.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)
Status: (Passed) 2011-02-09 - Reported enrolled [HR125 Detail]
Download: Texas-2011-HR125-Enrolled.html
| H.R. No. 125 | ||
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| WHEREAS, Proud residents of Port Aransas are gathering in | ||
| Austin to celebrate Port Aransas Day at the State Capitol on | ||
| February 9, 2011; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The town's location on Mustang Island was first | ||
| inhabited by the Karankawa Indians, and in the early 1800s, it was | ||
| frequented by the famed buccaneer Jean Lafitte; the natural passage | ||
| between the island and St. Joseph Island was originally named | ||
| Aranzazu and later became known as Aransas Pass; and | ||
| WHEREAS, In 1855, an English sheep and cattle rancher named | ||
| Robert A. Mercer built a cabin on Mustang Island at the site that | ||
| later became the town; Elihu Harrison Ropes started a project to dig | ||
| a channel across the island in 1890, and the community that grew | ||
| around the new post office was called Ropesville; in 1896, it was | ||
| renamed Tarpon to highlight the island's fine fishing, and in 1911, | ||
| the town was officially designated as Port Aransas; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Since World War II, the city has become one of the | ||
| most popular resort destinations on the Texas Gulf Coast; the | ||
| superb beaches of nearby Mustang Island State Park draw campers, | ||
| swimmers, and surfers from across the Lone Star State, and the | ||
| town's launching ramps and three lighted piers enable anglers to | ||
| catch a wide diversity of fish, including red snapper, shark, sand | ||
| trout, tuna, and bonito; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Port Aransas is also one of the top bird-watching | ||
| destinations in the nation, and the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding | ||
| Center, the Port Aransas Wetland Park, and other nature centers | ||
| afford fine opportunities to view local species such as herons and | ||
| roseate spoonbills as well as the annual migrations of | ||
| hummingbirds, flycatchers, and orioles; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The rich variety of sea life that resides along the | ||
| Gulf Coast can be appreciated at the aquariums at The University of | ||
| Texas Marine Science Institute; visitors also delight in the town's | ||
| many fine art galleries, shops, seafood restaurants, and hotels, | ||
| including the historic Tarpon Inn, which has hosted such famous | ||
| visitors as President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and movie star Hedy | ||
| Lamarr; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Blessed with natural beauty and a colorful history, | ||
| Port Aransas is one of the jewels of the Lone Star State, and its | ||
| citizens may indeed take great pride in their heritage and ongoing | ||
| achievements; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas | ||
| Legislature hereby recognize February 9, 2011, as Port Aransas Day | ||
| at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere | ||
| best wishes for a meaningful and memorable visit to Austin. | ||
| Hunter | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Speaker of the House | ||
| I certify that H.R. No. 125 was adopted by the House on | ||
| February 9, 2011, by a non-record vote. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
