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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Residents of Port Aransas are gathering in Austin on |
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April 12, 2023, to celebrate Port Aransas Day at the State Capitol; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, In the early 1800s, Mustang Island was frequented by |
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the famed buccaneer Jean Lafitte, and in 1855, an English sheep and |
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cattle rancher named Robert A. Mercer built a cabin on the island; a |
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community developed around the site, and the first post office was |
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established in 1888; initially called Ropesville, the town was |
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renamed Tarpon eight years later to highlight the island's fine |
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fishing, and in 1911, it was officially designated as Port Aransas; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, The city has since become one of the most popular |
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family destinations on the Texas Gulf Coast, and the superb beaches |
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draw campers, swimmers, and surfers from across the Lone Star |
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State; the town's launching ramps, lighted piers, and jetties |
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enable anglers to catch a wide variety of fish, including red |
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snapper, redfish, flounder, speckled trout, tuna, and more; and |
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WHEREAS, Port Aransas is one of the top bird-watching |
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locations in the country, and many areas afford fine opportunities |
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to view local species such as herons and roseate spoonbills as well |
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as the annual migrations of hummingbirds, flycatchers, orioles, and |
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whooping cranes; additionally, visitors may delight in the town's |
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art galleries, shops, restaurants, and locations of historical |
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interest; and |
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WHEREAS, Port Aransas boasts a thriving tourism industry, |
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which is an important economic engine for the state, generating |
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nearly $18 million in city and state hotel taxes and more than $15 |
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million in related sales taxes in 2022; and |
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WHEREAS, The community is served by the Port Aransas |
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Independent School District, which has consistently earned an A |
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accountability rating from the Texas Education Agency, and it |
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further benefits from the educational opportunities provided by The |
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University of Texas Marine Science Institute, which supports |
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sustainability and research in fields vital to the future of the |
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Texas coast; and |
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WHEREAS, Blessed with natural beauty and a colorful history, |
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Port Aransas is one of the Lone Star State's great treasures, and |
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its citizens may indeed take pride in their rich heritage and |
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ongoing achievements; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize April 12, 2023, as Port Aransas Day at |
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the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere |
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best wishes for a meaningful and memorable stay in Austin. |