Bill Text: TX SR404 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced
NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Recognizing April 12, 2023, as Port Aransas Day.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-04-12 - Reported enrolled [SR404 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-SR404-Introduced.html
Bill Title: Recognizing April 12, 2023, as Port Aransas Day.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-04-12 - Reported enrolled [SR404 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-SR404-Introduced.html
88R17538 BHH-D | ||
By: LaMantia | S.R. No. 404 |
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WHEREAS, Residents of Port Aransas are gathering in Austin on | ||
April 12, 2023, to celebrate Port Aransas Day at the State Capitol; | ||
and | ||
WHEREAS, In the early 1800s, Mustang Island was frequented by | ||
the famed buccaneer Jean Lafitte, and in 1855, an English sheep and | ||
cattle rancher named Robert A. Mercer built a cabin on the island; a | ||
community developed around the site, and the first post office was | ||
established in 1888; initially called Ropesville, the town was | ||
renamed Tarpon eight years later to highlight the island's fine | ||
fishing, and in 1911, it was officially designated as Port Aransas; | ||
and | ||
WHEREAS, The city has since become one of the most popular | ||
family destinations on the Texas Gulf Coast, and the superb beaches | ||
draw campers, swimmers, and surfers from across the Lone Star | ||
State; the town's launching ramps, lighted piers, and jetties | ||
enable anglers to catch a wide variety of fish, including red | ||
snapper, redfish, flounder, speckled trout, tuna, and more; and | ||
WHEREAS, Port Aransas is one of the top bird-watching | ||
locations in the country, and many areas afford fine opportunities | ||
to view local species such as herons and roseate spoonbills as well | ||
as the annual migrations of hummingbirds, flycatchers, orioles, and | ||
whooping cranes; additionally, visitors may delight in the town's | ||
art galleries, shops, restaurants, and locations of historical | ||
interest; and | ||
WHEREAS, Port Aransas boasts a thriving tourism industry, | ||
which is an important economic engine for the state, generating | ||
nearly $18 million in city and state hotel taxes and more than $15 | ||
million in related sales taxes in 2022; and | ||
WHEREAS, The community is served by the Port Aransas | ||
Independent School District, which has consistently earned an A | ||
accountability rating from the Texas Education Agency, and it | ||
further benefits from the educational opportunities provided by The | ||
University of Texas Marine Science Institute, which supports | ||
sustainability and research in fields vital to the future of the | ||
Texas coast; and | ||
WHEREAS, Blessed with natural beauty and a colorful history, | ||
Port Aransas is one of the Lone Star State's great treasures, and | ||
its citizens may indeed take pride in their rich heritage and | ||
ongoing achievements; now, therefore, be it | ||
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature | ||
hereby recognize April 12, 2023, as Port Aransas Day at the State | ||
Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere best wishes | ||
for a meaningful and memorable stay in Austin. |