By Berlanga H.R. No. 895 74R12064 BNL-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Long before environmental concerns were at the 1-2 forefront of the American consciousness, the members of the Gulf 1-3 Coast Conservation Association were working to preserve the 1-4 delicate balance of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Renowned as one of the great sportfishing sites in 1-6 the country, the Gulf of Mexico is home to large trout and redfish 1-7 populations, but by the late 1960s and early 1970s, sport fishermen 1-8 were noticing a precipitous decline in the number of redfish in the 1-9 shallow waters of Laguna Madre; and 1-10 WHEREAS, The illegal commercial harvesting of these and other 1-11 finfish, as well as questionable practices such as trawling during 1-12 extremely cold weather and trot line fishing, was endangering the 1-13 once abundant supplies of redfish and trout in these fertile 1-14 waters; at one point, more than 221,000 pounds of trout were 1-15 harvested from Galveston Bay in a single month, and sport fishermen 1-16 along the Gulf Coast realized that only immediate action could halt 1-17 the decline; and 1-18 WHEREAS, In February 1977, a group of concerned sportsmen 1-19 established the Gulf Coast Conservation Association (GCCA) in 1-20 Houston, and within two years local chapters of the organization 1-21 were being formed in other cities along the Gulf Coast; and 1-22 WHEREAS, The "founding fathers" of this organization came 1-23 from all walks of life, but they were united in their belief that 1-24 the rich natural resources of the Gulf of Mexico should be 2-1 preserved for the enjoyment of all Texans; these doctors, salesmen, 2-2 investors, engineers, and businessmen joined forces with game 2-3 wardens and biologists from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 2-4 to halt the illegal harvesting of finfish; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Although they mainly focused on public education, 2-6 legislation, and stricter law enforcement, these devoted 2-7 conservationists were not above exercising their rights to make 2-8 citizen's arrests, occasionally bringing in poachers at gunpoint; 2-9 during the succeeding years of "net wars," sport fishermen's cabins 2-10 were burned and GCCA facilities were vandalized in retaliation, but 2-11 the organization continued to push for stricter legislation to 2-12 protect the Gulf's supply of game fish; and 2-13 WHEREAS, Moreover, the organization established the John 2-14 Wilson Fish Hatchery and GCCA/CP&L Marine Development Center to 2-15 restock the depleted waters and help restore the finfish 2-16 populations to their previous numbers; and 2-17 WHEREAS, The Gulf Coast Conservation Association is a shining 2-18 example of the public good that can be achieved when concerned 2-19 citizens, governmental agencies, and law enforcement officials work 2-20 together toward a common goal; thanks to the concerted efforts of 2-21 the GCCA and its allies, all Texans will be able to enjoy the rich 2-22 fishing waters of the Gulf of Mexico for many generations to come; 2-23 now, therefore, be it 2-24 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-25 Legislature hereby commend the members of the Gulf Coast 2-26 Conservation Association for their efforts to preserve the redfish 2-27 and trout populations of the Gulf of Mexico and extend to them 3-1 warmest best wishes for continued success; and, be it further 3-2 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-3 prepared for the Gulf Coast Conservation Association as an 3-4 expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.