By Hawley H.R. No. 374 75R9522 JHS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Each year, Texas State Pilots navigate more than 1-2 29,000 deep-draft oceangoing vessels through Texas' ports, and it 1-3 is a privilege to recognize the superior efforts of these vital 1-4 professionals at this time; and 1-5 WHEREAS, By providing vessel coordination and safe passage to 1-6 this multitude of commercial crafts, Texas State Pilots facilitate 1-7 commercial transport of one-third of our state's exports, which 1-8 accounts for approximately five percent of the annual gross state 1-9 product; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Many hours of training are needed to develop the 1-11 expertise necessary to perform this important and demanding job; 1-12 frequently these diligent professionals are faced with unexpected 1-13 difficulties such as sudden time constraints and inclement weather, 1-14 yet the pilots embrace these challenges and gain invaluable 1-15 experience that they may draw on when faced with similar conditions 1-16 in the future; and 1-17 WHEREAS, In addition to being responsible for the annual 1-18 transport of 37 million tons of cargo, thereby contributing to the 1-19 preservation of local economies throughout the Lone Star State, the 1-20 pilots strive to protect the fragile marine environments endemic to 1-21 the vast Texas coastline and its inlets; and 1-22 WHEREAS, The commitment to excellence demonstrated by these 1-23 dedicated men and women has helped to maintain the highest 1-24 standards of safety at the ports of Brownsville, Corpus Christi, 2-1 Freeport, Galveston, Houston, Point Comfort, Port Arthur, Orange, 2-2 and Beaumont, and these outstanding individuals are indeed 2-3 deserving of special legislative recognition; now, therefore, be it 2-4 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-5 Legislature hereby recognize March 19, 1997, as Texas State Pilots 2-6 Day at the Capitol and honor the members of this fine organization 2-7 for their many contributions to the economic success of Texas and 2-8 for their commitment to keeping our ports safe and efficient.