S.C.R. No. 164
                             SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
    1-1        WHEREAS, Eagle Fest '96 will be held in Rains County on
    1-2  January 19 and January 20, 1996, to bring public awareness to the
    1-3  winter nesting places for a large number of bald eagles at Lake
    1-4  Fork and Lake Tawakoni; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, The first annual festival for birders and nature
    1-6  lovers will present many events and activities that will be both
    1-7  educational and entertaining; among the special activities planned
    1-8  are an art show, live bird demonstrations, guest speakers, birds of
    1-9  prey exhibits, a night owl prowl, and music throughout the
   1-10  festival, ending with a country western concert; and
   1-11        WHEREAS, Barge tours on the lakes will be conducted to search
   1-12  for the magnificent eagles who soar so gracefully through the sky,
   1-13  and birders will be afforded the opportunity to view numerous other
   1-14  local and migratory birds, as  well as other wildlife in its
   1-15  natural habitat; and
   1-16        WHEREAS, Our national emblem, the bald eagle is an endangered
   1-17  species and has been found wintering in Texas more than in any
   1-18  other part of the country; from mid-November to early March or
   1-19  April, to the delight of bird watchers, the eagles come to nest on
   1-20  the lakes and in the creek bottoms below the dams on both Lake
   1-21  Tawakoni and Lake Fork; the 1994 eagle count on the lakes was 52;
   1-22  and
   1-23        WHEREAS, Information obtained from the Texas Parks and
    2-1  Wildlife Department shows that four pairs of eagles have chosen to
    2-2  make Lake Fork their permanent home year-round; and
    2-3        WHEREAS, Eagle Fest '96 evolved through the efforts of the
    2-4  Rains County Industrial Commission, the Rains County Tourism
    2-5  Committee, and the Emory Chamber of Commerce to promote tourism and
    2-6  economic development in Rains County; now, therefore, be it
    2-7        RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas
    2-8  hereby declare Rains County the Eagle Capitol of Texas and extend
    2-9  best wishes to its citizens for a most rewarding and productive
   2-10  Eagle Fest '96; and, be it further
   2-11        RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to the
   2-12  residents of Rains County as an expression of the appreciation of
   2-13  the Texas Legislature for their notable work in preserving and
   2-14  protecting the American bald eagle.