HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1-1 WHEREAS, One of Texas' richest and most diverse areas is that
1-2 of the Gulf Coast; the Coastal Bend abounds with treasures for all,
1-3 and every year thousands of visitors flock to its beaches and
1-4 wetlands to enjoy the sun, fish the waters, appreciate its unique
1-5 scenery and wildlife, and bolster their spirits simply by being
1-6 near such awe-inspiring beauty; and
1-7 WHEREAS, In addition to $7 billion per year generated by
1-8 coastal tourism, the area is also home to half of the nation's
1-9 petrochemical industry and over a quarter of its petroleum refining
1-10 capacity; and
1-11 WHEREAS, Coastal tourism, the petrochemical and petroleum
1-12 industries, a robust commercial and recreational fishing trade, and
1-13 significant agricultural production make this region a vital
1-14 economic and natural resource for both the state and the nation;
1-15 and
1-16 WHEREAS, Like other coastal states located near offshore
1-17 drilling activities, Texas provides workers, equipment, and ports
1-18 of entry for oil and natural gas mined offshore; while these states
1-19 derive numerous benefits from the offshore drilling industry, they
1-20 also face great risks, such as coastline degradation and spill
1-21 disasters, as well as the loss of nonrenewable natural resources;
1-22 and
1-23 WHEREAS, Although state and local authorities have worked
1-24 diligently to conserve and protect coastal resources, securing the
2-1 funds needed to maintain air and water quality and to ensure the
2-2 existence of healthy wetlands and beaches and protection of
2-3 wildlife is a constant challenge; and
2-4 WHEREAS, The federal Land and Water Conservation Fund was
2-5 established by Congress in 1964 and has been one of the most
2-6 successful and far-reaching pieces of conservation and recreation
2-7 legislation, using as its funding source the revenues from oil and
2-8 gas activity on the Outer Continental Shelf; and
2-9 WHEREAS, The game and nongame wildlife resources of this
2-10 state are a vital natural resource and provide enjoyment and other
2-11 benefits for current and future generations; and
2-12 WHEREAS, The federal government has received more than $120
2-13 billion in offshore drilling revenue during the past 43 years, only
2-14 five percent of which has been allotted to the states; it is fair
2-15 and just that Texas and other coastal states should receive a
2-16 dedicated share of the revenue they help generate; and
2-17 WHEREAS, Several bills are currently before the United States
2-18 Congress that would allocate a portion of federal offshore drilling
2-19 royalties to coastal states and local communities for wildlife
2-20 protection, conservation, and coastal impact projects; and
2-21 WHEREAS, States and local communities know best how to
2-22 allocate resources to address their needs, and block grants will
2-23 provide the best means for distributing funds; and
2-24 WHEREAS, These funds would help support the recipients'
2-25 efforts to renew and maintain their beaches, wetlands, urban
2-26 waterfronts, parks, public harbors and fishing piers, and other
2-27 elements of coastal infrastructure that are vital to the quality of
3-1 life and economic and environmental well-being of these states and
3-2 local communities; now, therefore, be it
3-3 RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas
3-4 hereby respectfully urge the Congress of the United States to pass
3-5 legislation embodying these principles; and, be it further
3-6 RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official
3-7 copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to
3-8 the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of
3-9 the senate of the United States Congress, and to all the members of
3-10 the Texas delegation to the congress with the request that this
3-11 resolution be officially entered in the Congressional Record as a
3-12 memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.
Eiland
Hawley
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 59 was adopted by the House on
March 16, 1999, by a non-record vote.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 59 was adopted by the Senate on
April 26, 1999, by a viva-voce vote.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor