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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi is an |
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outstanding institution that is committed to connecting people with |
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nature and promoting conservation of the Gulf of Mexico; and |
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WHEREAS, After two decades of planning and fund-raising, TSA |
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first opened the doors to its original Gulf of Mexico exhibit in |
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1990; over the years, many new permanent and special exhibits have |
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been introduced, allowing spectators to see a live bald eagle, to |
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touch and feed stingrays, to watch Atlantic bottlenose dolphins |
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play, and to get an underwater view of the habitat formed around an |
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oil platform in the Gulf; the aquarium also features a splash park, |
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an artificial fossil dig site for uncovering casts of prehistoric |
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animal bones, and the Hawn Wild Flight Theater, with presentations |
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featuring trained birds, and in 2014, it announced an expansion |
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project that will more than double the size of the facilities; and |
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WHEREAS, In addition to entertaining and delighting |
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visitors, this private, not-for-profit institution gives back to |
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the community through its education and conservation programs; |
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field trips, summer camps, and distance learning empower Texans of |
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all ages to discover more about nature and marine wildlife, while |
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the Second Chances Wildlife Rehabilitation Program provides care |
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for ill or injured shorebirds, birds of prey, marine mammals, and |
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sea turtles, returning them to their natural habitats whenever |
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possible; furthermore, the aquarium coordinates beach cleanups |
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three times a year, fosters awareness of Texas watersheds with its |
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Keepers of the Coast program, and awards grants through its |
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Wildlife Care, Conservation, and Research Fund; and |
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WHEREAS, TSA has been honored with numerous accolades, |
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including the Outstanding Public-Private Partnership Award from |
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Mutual of America, the Munson Aquatic Conservation Exhibitry Award |
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from the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, and the |
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Conservation and Environmental Stewardship Award for Public |
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Awareness from the Coastal Bend Bays Foundation; in 2014, it became |
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one of only six aquariums in the nation to earn a prestigious |
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four-star rating from Charity Navigator; and |
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WHEREAS, By encouraging Texans to appreciate the diversity |
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and vulnerability of marine life, the aquarium is making a |
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significant contribution to the Lone Star State, and the efforts |
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and achievements of all involved in this worthy endeavor indeed |
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merit special commendation; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize February 10, 2015, as Texas State |
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Aquarium Day and extend to all those associated with the aquarium |
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sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the Texas State Aquarium as an expression of high |
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regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |
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Herrero |
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Hunter |
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Lozano |
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Anderson of Dallas |
Herrero |
Phelan |
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Anderson of McLennan |
Howard |
Phillips |
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Bonnen of Brazoria |
Johnson |
Riddle |
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Bonnen of Galveston |
Kacal |
Rinaldi |
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Burkett |
Keffer |
Rodriguez of Bexar |
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Burns |
Keough |
Rodriguez of Travis |
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Burrows |
King of Hemphill |
Romero, Jr. |
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Button |
King of Parker |
Rose |
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Canales |
King of Taylor |
Sanford |
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Capriglione |
King of Uvalde |
Schaefer |
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Craddick |
Landgraf |
Simmons |
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Davis of Dallas |
Longoria |
Spitzer |
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Davis of Harris |
Lozano |
Springer |
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Deshotel |
Lucio III |
Stephenson |
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Dutton |
Martinez |
Thompson of Brazoria |
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Elkins |
Martinez Fischer |
Thompson of Harris |
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Faircloth |
McClendon |
Tinderholt |
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Fallon |
Menéndez |
Turner of Collin |
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Farias |
Metcalf |
Turner of Harris |
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Farney |
Meyer |
Turner of Tarrant |
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Fletcher |
Miller of Comal |
Villalba |
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Flynn |
Miller of Fort Bend |
Vo |
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Frullo |
Morrison |
White of Bell |
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Galindo |
Muñoz, Jr. |
White of Tyler |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 354 was adopted by the House on February |
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10, 2015, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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