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.