By: Martin H.R. No. 123 73R3030 LBD-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Travel cruises are rapidly gaining popularity 1-2 throughout the United States; enticed by the pampered luxury of the 1-3 modern cruise ship, people everywhere are beginning to examine the 1-4 possibility of therapeutic vacations on the open seas; and 1-5 WHEREAS, With its miles of scenic shoreline and several major 1-6 ports on the Gulf Coast, Texas clearly benefits from the broad 1-7 appeal of this rapidly growing service industry; as one of the top 1-8 10 cruise markets in the nation, the state supports a wide range of 1-9 businesses, such as air carriers, hotels, restaurants, and local 1-10 travel agencies, that enable it to reap rewards from the influx of 1-11 tourist dollars; and 1-12 WHEREAS, The Port of Galveston, in particular, seeking to 1-13 expand its reputation as an exciting vacation getaway, is an 1-14 excellent example of the communities that stand to gain a great 1-15 deal as the cruise industry continues to expand; with more than 1-16 8,000 passengers passing through the city's cruise terminal since 1-17 1990, these floating resorts contribute a great deal to the local 1-18 economy; and 1-19 WHEREAS, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the 1-20 industry's trade organization, represents 32 cruise lines and 1-21 21,000 travel agencies in nationally promoting the relaxing and 1-22 satisfying benefits of cruise vacations; the members of this body 1-23 join with CLIA in recognizing the benefits of the cruise industry 1-24 and support CLIA in its efforts to expand the popularity of cruise 2-1 vacations; now, therefore, be it 2-2 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 2-3 Legislature hereby proclaim the month of February 1993 as Cruise 2-4 Vacation Month and formally acknowledge the important role Texas' 2-5 coastal cities play in the continued development of this highly 2-6 beneficial industry.