R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, On April 8, 1997, many proud residents of the city

 1-2     of Aransas Pass will travel to the State Capitol to celebrate

 1-3     Aransas Pass Day in Austin; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, Located in San Patricio, Aransas, and Nueces

 1-5     counties, the city of Aransas Pass was organized in 1909 and was

 1-6     named for the pass between Mustang and St. Joseph's islands; and

 1-7           WHEREAS, In the early 1900s, Aransas Pass suffered the

 1-8     effects of several major hurricanes, but the local citizenry

 1-9     refused to be discouraged by the forces of nature, and after the

1-10     storm of 1919 a seawall was erected to help protect the city's

1-11     population, which has grown to include more than 7,000 residents;

1-12     and

1-13           WHEREAS, The northern gateway to Padre Island National

1-14     Seashore, Aransas Pass is home to a myriad of natural wonders; a

1-15     vast array of waterfowl and other birds dot the skies and waterways

1-16     in and near the city, and the marine life is equally impressive,

1-17     with an abundant supply of redfish, speckled trout, drum,

1-18     sheepshead, and flounder drawing sport fishermen from across the

1-19     state and country; and

1-20           WHEREAS, The city's thriving economy is primarily based on

1-21     tourism and shrimping; Aransas Pass's Conn Brown Harbor is home to

1-22     the world's largest and most modern shrimping facilities, and the

1-23     city has been aptly named the "Shrimp Capital of Texas"; and

1-24           WHEREAS, Among the city's most eagerly anticipated events

 2-1     each year is Shrimporee, which draws thousands of attendees each

 2-2     September and boasts such attractions as a parade, an arts and

 2-3     crafts fair, a beauty pageant, and a shrimp-eating contest; in

 2-4     recent years, another festival, the Fishoree, has been added to the

 2-5     calendar of community events taking place each year and has

 2-6     generated considerable interest among local citizens and tourists

 2-7     alike; and

 2-8           WHEREAS, Blessed with natural beauty, a rich heritage, and a

 2-9     dynamic citizenry, Aransas Pass is truly one of our state's most

2-10     remarkable cities, offering its residents an ideal environment in

2-11     which to work, play, and raise a family, and these many fine

2-12     attributes are indeed deserving of special legislative recognition

2-13     at this time; now, therefore, be it

2-14           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-15     Legislature hereby recognize April 8, 1997, as Aransas Pass Day at

2-16     the State Capitol and join with the citizens of Aransas Pass in

2-17     paying tribute to one of the most vibrant communities in the Lone

2-18     Star State.

                                                                      Hawley

                                             _______________________________

                                                   Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.R. No. 578 was adopted by the House on April

         8, 1997, by a non-record vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House