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. 2-6 * * * * *