By Eiland                                             H.C.R. No. 59
         76R5593 EFD-D                           
                             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 is a constant challenge;
 2-3     and
 2-4           WHEREAS, The federal government has received more than $120
 2-5     billion in offshore drilling revenue during the past 43 years, only
 2-6     five percent of which has been alloted to the states; it is fair
 2-7     and just that Texas and other coastal states should receive a
 2-8     dedicated share of the revenue they help generate; and
 2-9           WHEREAS, S. 25, the Conservation and Reinvestment Act of
2-10     1999, currently before the United States Congress, would allocate a
2-11     portion of federal offshore drilling royalties to coastal states
2-12     and local communities; and
2-13           WHEREAS, These funds would help support the recipients'
2-14     efforts to renew and maintain their beaches, wetlands, urban
2-15     waterfronts, parks, public harbors and fishing piers, and other
2-16     elements of coastal infrastructure that are vital to the quality of
2-17     life and economic well-being of these states and local communities;
2-18     now, therefore, be it
2-19           RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas
2-20     hereby respectfully urge the Congress of the United States to pass
2-21     S. 25, the Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1999; and, be it
2-22     further
2-23           RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official
2-24     copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to
2-25     the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of
2-26     the senate of the United States Congress, and to all the members of
2-27     the Texas delegation to the congress with the request that this
 3-1     resolution be officially entered in the Congressional Record as a
 3-2     memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.