Bill Text: TX HR545 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognizing February 21, 2017, as Texas State Aquarium Day.
Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2017-02-23 - Reported enrolled [HR545 Detail]
Download: Texas-2017-HR545-Enrolled.html
| H.R. No. 545 | ||
|
|
||
| WHEREAS, The Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi is an | ||
| outstanding institution that is committed to connecting people with | ||
| nature and promoting conservation of the Gulf of Mexico; and | ||
| WHEREAS, After two decades of planning and fund-raising, TSA | ||
| first opened the doors to its original Gulf of Mexico exhibit in | ||
| 1990; over the years, many new permanent and special exhibits have | ||
| been introduced, allowing spectators to see a live bald eagle, to | ||
| touch and feed stingrays, to watch Atlantic bottlenose dolphins | ||
| play, and to get an underwater view of the habitat formed around an | ||
| oil platform in the Gulf; the aquarium also features a splash park, | ||
| an artificial fossil dig site for uncovering casts of prehistoric | ||
| animal bones, and the Hawn Wild Flight Theater, with presentations | ||
| featuring trained birds, and in 2014, it announced an expansion | ||
| project that will more than double the size of the facilities; and | ||
| WHEREAS, In addition to entertaining and delighting | ||
| visitors, this private, not-for-profit institution gives back to | ||
| the community through its education and conservation programs; | ||
| field trips, summer camps, and distance learning empower Texans of | ||
| all ages to discover more about nature and marine wildlife, while | ||
| the Second Chances Wildlife Rehabilitation Program provides care | ||
| for ill or injured shorebirds, birds of prey, marine mammals, and | ||
| sea turtles, returning them to their natural habitats whenever | ||
| possible; furthermore, the aquarium coordinates beach cleanups | ||
| three times a year, fosters awareness of Texas watersheds with its | ||
| Keepers of the Coast program, and awards grants through its | ||
| Wildlife Care, Conservation, and Research Fund; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The Texas State Aquarium has been honored with | ||
| numerous accolades, including the Outstanding Public-Private | ||
| Partnership Award from Mutual of America, the Munson Aquatic | ||
| Conservation Exhibitry Award from the American Zoo and Aquarium | ||
| Association, and the Conservation and Environmental Stewardship | ||
| Award for Public Awareness from the Coastal Bend Bays Foundation; | ||
| in 2014, it became one of only six aquariums in the nation to earn a | ||
| prestigious four-star rating from Charity Navigator; and | ||
| WHEREAS, By encouraging Texans to appreciate the diversity | ||
| and vulnerability of marine life, the aquarium is making a | ||
| significant contribution to the Lone Star State, and the efforts | ||
| and achievements of all involved in this worthy endeavor indeed | ||
| merit special commendation; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas | ||
| Legislature hereby recognize February 21, 2017, as Texas State | ||
| Aquarium Day and extend to all those associated with the aquarium | ||
| sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be | ||
| prepared for the Texas State Aquarium as an expression of high | ||
| regard by the Texas House of Representatives. | ||
| Hunter | ||
| Herrero | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Speaker of the House | ||
| I certify that H.R. No. 545 was adopted by the House on | ||
| February 21, 2017, by a non-record vote. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
