By: Price H.R. No. 135
73R3040 NBM-F
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The city of Port Arthur enjoys a well-deserved
1-2 reputation as the center of one of the most dynamic regions in the
1-3 State of Texas; and
1-4 WHEREAS, Located on the northwest shore of Sabine Lake in
1-5 Jefferson County, nine miles from the Gulf of Mexico, the modern
1-6 city of Port Arthur has fulfilled the dream of its founder, Arthur
1-7 E. Stilwell, who envisioned a thriving hub for land and sea
1-8 transportation in one of the state's richest areas; and
1-9 WHEREAS, Long identified with the oil and petrochemical
1-10 industries that formed one of the bases of the state's economy,
1-11 Port Arthur is currently reaping the benefits of diversified and
1-12 broadened economic development; and
1-13 WHEREAS, Thanks to its strategic location, Greater Port
1-14 Arthur has emerged as one of Texas' leading transportation centers
1-15 for national and international commerce, providing superb
1-16 facilities for water, rail, truck, and air commercial traffic; and
1-17 WHEREAS, Its international ocean port uniquely located on the
1-18 Gulf Intracoastal Waterway connects the city of Port Arthur with
1-19 shipping commerce throughout the South and abroad, while the
1-20 Jefferson County Airport, the Kansas City Southern Railway, and the
1-21 Southern Pacific railroad provide vital links to national and
1-22 international markets via air and land; and
1-23 WHEREAS, Blessed with many natural resources, a moderate
1-24 climate, superb recreational opportunities, and outstanding
2-1 educational and medical institutions, the city of Port Arthur is
2-2 also attracting new industries to Southeast Texas by providing an
2-3 increasingly attractive quality of life for its residents; and
2-4 WHEREAS, Port Arthur is proud of its longstanding commitment
2-5 to excellence in education; it was the first city in Texas to adopt
2-6 the 12-grade public school system, and the Greater Port Arthur area
2-7 today boasts some of the state's highest-ranking school districts
2-8 in the Port Arthur, Port Neches, Nederland, and Sabine Pass
2-9 communities; and
2-10 WHEREAS, Port Arthur is also a respected center for higher
2-11 education; Lamar University at Port Arthur has served the higher
2-12 education needs of Southeast Texas since 1909, when it was founded
2-13 as Port Arthur College; and
2-14 WHEREAS, At the heart of the city's cultural life is the Port
2-15 Arthur Civic Center, which hosts popular musical entertainers,
2-16 ballet troupes, art exhibits, and other events for many of
2-17 Jefferson County's 273,300 residents; and
2-18 WHEREAS, Festivals, tournaments, parades, concerts, and other
2-19 gala celebrations of the community's colorful history and cultural
2-20 heritage abound throughout the area year-round; and
2-21 WHEREAS, For others, Port Arthur is a sportsman's paradise,
2-22 beckoning Texans from across the state with its wide-open spaces
2-23 and plentiful opportunities for water sports, hunting, and fishing;
2-24 and
2-25 WHEREAS, To share some of their region's entertainment and
2-26 festivities, the Port Arthur Day delegates are sponsoring an
2-27 evening that will highlight their great Cajun music and cuisine,
3-1 accented with a special taste of Port Arthur's upcoming First
3-2 Annual Mardi Gras celebration; and
3-3 WHEREAS, It is no wonder, then, that many Port Arthur
3-4 residents feel there is a special magic in their city; concurring
3-5 in this sentiment, the members of this legislative chamber wish to
3-6 recognize this proud community for its significant contributions in
3-7 the continuing development of this state; now, therefore, be it
3-8 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
3-9 Legislature hereby declare February 1, 1993, as Port Arthur Day at
3-10 the Texas Capitol and take the opportunity to commend all of its
3-11 citizens for their efforts in making this city one of the most
3-12 vibrant and progressive communities in the state.