Bill Text: TX HR2341 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognizing May 20, 2015, as Retired Texas Game Warden Day at the State Capitol.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)
Status: (Passed) 2015-05-26 - Reported enrolled [HR2341 Detail]
Download: Texas-2015-HR2341-Enrolled.html
| H.R. No. 2341 | ||
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| WHEREAS, Many retired Texas game wardens and their spouses | ||
| are visiting Austin on May 20, 2015, to celebrate Retired Texas Game | ||
| Warden Day at the State Capitol and to commemorate the 120 years of | ||
| dedicated service that game wardens have provided to the Lone Star | ||
| State; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Since 1895, when the office of Fish and Oyster | ||
| Commissioner was created by the 24th Texas Legislature, game | ||
| wardens have played an essential role in wildlife conservation; the | ||
| Fish and Oyster Commission was given jurisdiction in 1899 over all | ||
| public waters, including freshwater streams, lakes, and ponds, and | ||
| its purview was soon extended to shrimping and hunting; the name of | ||
| the agency later became the Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission, and | ||
| it changed again several times to reflect the expansion of its | ||
| mission until, in 1963, it merged with the State Parks Board to form | ||
| the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; and | ||
| WHEREAS, In the early years, there were just six wardens, but | ||
| their numbers grew as their duties continued to evolve, | ||
| encompassing such tasks as the promotion of recreational water | ||
| safety and the apprehension of criminals involved in a range of | ||
| illegal activities in addition to wildlife law violations; Texas | ||
| A&M University established the Texas Game Warden Academy in 1946, | ||
| and 14 cadets attended that first formal game warden training; in | ||
| 1971, the legislature formally recognized as peace officers all law | ||
| enforcement officers within the TPWD; the state is presently served | ||
| by some 530 game wardens, whose responsibilities have grown to | ||
| include participation in homeland security initiatives; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Today there are approximately 340 retired Texas game | ||
| wardens living with their families in the Lone Star State, and their | ||
| vital contributions to the betterment of this state have earned | ||
| them the deep appreciation of all Texans; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas | ||
| Legislature hereby recognize May 20, 2015, as Retired Texas Game | ||
| Warden Day at the State Capitol and commemorate 120 years of public | ||
| service by Texas game wardens. | ||
| Flynn | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Speaker of the House | ||
| I certify that H.R. No. 2341 was adopted by the House on May | ||
| 21, 2015, by a non-record vote. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
