By Lewis of Orange H.C.R. No. 81 76R6114 MDM-F HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, The Sabine River Authority of Texas marks a historic 1-2 milestone in 1999 as it commemorates 50 years of service to 1-3 residents of East Texas, and it is appropriate that the Texas 1-4 Legislature recognize this worthy organization; and 1-5 WHEREAS, In 1949, the Texas Legislature created the Sabine 1-6 River Authority as a conservation and reclamation district to 1-7 control, store, preserve, and distribute for all useful purposes 1-8 the water of the Sabine River and its tributary streams; and 1-9 WHEREAS, From its initial purchase of the Orange County Water 1-10 Company, which consisted of a pumping plant and 150-mile canal 1-11 distribution network, the district has continued to grow and 1-12 develop water resources in the Sabine Basin for the benefit of area 1-13 citizens as well as those throughout the state; and 1-14 WHEREAS, Major projects accomplished during the laudable 1-15 history of the district include Iron Bridge Dam and Lake Tawakoni, 1-16 a 36,700-acre reservoir, completed in 1960; Toledo Bend Dam and 1-17 185,000-acre reservoir with 80 megawatts of hydroelectric capacity, 1-18 completed in 1970; and Lake Fork Dam and 27,800-acre reservoir, 1-19 completed in 1980; in addition, an Environmental Services Division 1-20 was created to oversee water quality issues in the Sabine Basin; 1-21 and 1-22 WHEREAS, The construction and development of these facilities 1-23 has been financed with revenues derived from the sale of water and 1-24 hydroelectric revenue bonds and has required no tax, state 2-1 appropriations, or federal money; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Since its inception, the district has been 2-3 successfully guided by the visionary leadership of two exceptional 2-4 general managers and an outstanding board of directors; John W. 2-5 Simmons served as general manager from March 15, 1956, to August 2-6 31, 1978, and Sam F. Collins directed the organization from 2-7 September 1, 1978, to August 31, 1998; the board is composed of 2-8 representatives from its 21-county area; and 2-9 WHEREAS, For half a century, the Sabine River Authority of 2-10 Texas has developed and provided a dependable source of water and 2-11 electric power for the residents of the Sabine Basin and the Lone 2-12 Star State, and in doing so, it has been of great benefit to Texas; 2-13 now, therefore, be it 2-14 RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-15 commend the Sabine River Authority of Texas for providing 50 years 2-16 of exceptional service to its many satisfied constituents and 2-17 extend to its board of directors, staff, and employees sincere best 2-18 wishes for many more years of continued success; and, be it further 2-19 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-20 prepared for the Sabine River Authority of Texas as an expression 2-21 of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate.