1-1                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 491

        1-2           WHEREAS, The State of Texas has long been a leader in

        1-3     national and global energy resources, but our state must fully

        1-4     explore and support the development of renewable energy resources

        1-5     to successfully maintain the state's standing in this vital area;

        1-6     and

        1-7           WHEREAS, In spite of having the best renewable resource

        1-8     potential in the nation, the State of Texas became a net energy

        1-9     importer in 1993, with more than $1 billion spent on coal

       1-10     imports alone; and

       1-11           WHEREAS, Renewable energy resources are available throughout

       1-12     the state, including wind and solar energy in the Panhandle and

       1-13     West Texas, biomass energy from agricultural by-products in

       1-14     East Texas and the Panhandle, and methane from landfills in urban

       1-15     areas, yet these resources have not been developed to their full

       1-16     potential; and

       1-17           WHEREAS, Wind energy is currently the fastest growing energy

       1-18     source in the world, and by continuing to explore the possibilities

       1-19     of wind power and other renewable energy resources, the State of

       1-20     Texas will firmly place itself in the vanguard of energy producers

       1-21     and open up many new employment opportunities for countless

       1-22     Texans; and

       1-23           WHEREAS, In our role as the elected representatives of the

        2-1     citizens of the State of Texas, it is imperative that we, as a

        2-2     body, provide the vision and leadership necessary to successfully

        2-3     address the issue of energy production and management, for in

        2-4     doing so, we will create long-term jobs, return Texas to energy

        2-5     independence, and reduce the environmental impacts of traditional

        2-6     forms of electrical energy; now, therefore, be it 

        2-7           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 75th Texas Legislature

        2-8     hereby recognize April 14 through 19, 1997, as Texas Energy

        2-9     Independence Week. 

       2-10                                                                  Duncan

       2-11                                  ______________________________________

       2-12                                          President of the Senate

       2-13                                       I hereby certify that the above

       2-14                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate

       2-15                                  on April 14, 1997.

       2-16                                  ______________________________________

       2-17                                          Secretary of the Senate

       2-18                                  ______________________________________

       2-19                                           Member, Texas Senate