1-1     By:  Eiland (Senate Sponsor - Jackson)                H.C.R. No. 59
 1-2           (In the Senate - Received from the House March 17, 1999;
 1-3     March 18, 1999, read first time and referred to Committee on
 1-4     Natural Resources; April 15, 1999, reported favorably by the
 1-5     following vote:  Yeas 5, Nays 0; April 15, 1999, sent to printer.)
 1-6                         HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 1-7           WHEREAS, One of Texas' richest and most diverse areas is that
 1-8     of the Gulf Coast; the Coastal Bend abounds with treasures for all,
 1-9     and every year thousands of visitors flock to its beaches and
1-10     wetlands to enjoy the sun, fish the waters, appreciate its unique
1-11     scenery and wildlife, and bolster their spirits simply by being
1-12     near such awe-inspiring beauty; and
1-13           WHEREAS, In addition to $7 billion per year generated by
1-14     coastal tourism, the area is also home to half of the nation's
1-15     petrochemical industry and over a quarter of its petroleum refining
1-16     capacity; and
1-17           WHEREAS, Coastal tourism, the petrochemical and petroleum
1-18     industries, a robust commercial and recreational fishing trade, and
1-19     significant agricultural production make this region a vital
1-20     economic and natural resource for both the state and the nation;
1-21     and
1-22           WHEREAS, Like other coastal states located near offshore
1-23     drilling activities, Texas provides workers, equipment, and ports
1-24     of entry for oil and natural gas mined offshore; while these states
1-25     derive numerous benefits from the offshore drilling industry, they
1-26     also face great risks, such as coastline degradation and spill
1-27     disasters, as well as the loss of nonrenewable natural resources;
1-28     and
1-29           WHEREAS, Although state and local authorities have worked
1-30     diligently to conserve and protect coastal resources, securing the
1-31     funds needed to maintain air and water quality and to ensure the
1-32     existence of healthy wetlands and beaches and protection of
1-33     wildlife is a constant challenge; and
1-34           WHEREAS, The federal Land and Water Conservation Fund was
1-35     established by Congress in 1964 and has been one of the most
1-36     successful and far-reaching pieces of conservation and recreation
1-37     legislation, using as its funding source the revenues from oil and
1-38     gas activity on the Outer Continental Shelf; and
1-39           WHEREAS, The game and nongame wildlife resources of this
1-40     state are a vital natural resource and provide enjoyment and other
1-41     benefits for current and future generations; and
1-42           WHEREAS, The federal government has received more than $120
1-43     billion in offshore drilling revenue during the past 43 years, only
1-44     five percent of which has been allotted to the states; it is fair
1-45     and just that Texas and other coastal states should receive a
1-46     dedicated share of the revenue they help generate; and
1-47           WHEREAS, Several bills are currently before the United States
1-48     Congress that would allocate a portion of federal offshore drilling
1-49     royalties to coastal states and local communities for wildlife
1-50     protection, conservation, and coastal impact projects; and
1-51           WHEREAS, States and local communities know best how to
1-52     allocate resources to address their needs, and block grants will
1-53     provide the best means for distributing funds; and
1-54           WHEREAS, These funds would help support the recipients'
1-55     efforts to renew and maintain their beaches, wetlands, urban
1-56     waterfronts, parks, public harbors and fishing piers, and other
1-57     elements of coastal infrastructure that are vital to the quality of
1-58     life and economic and environmental well-being of these states and
1-59     local communities; now, therefore, be it
1-60           RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas
1-61     hereby respectfully urge the Congress of the United States to pass
1-62     legislation embodying these principles; and, be it further
1-63           RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official
1-64     copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to
 2-1     the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of
 2-2     the senate of the United States Congress, and to all the members of
 2-3     the Texas delegation to the congress with the request that this
 2-4     resolution be officially entered in the Congressional Record as a
 2-5     memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.
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