R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Close to three-fourths of all bird species found in 1-2 the United States have been identified in Texas, and the 1-3 southernmost tip of the Lone Star State is renowned the world over 1-4 for its fantastic variety and concentration of birds; and 1-5 WHEREAS, The area from Mission to South Padre Island and 1-6 south to Brownsville boasts an incredible number of opportunities 1-7 for the tens of thousands of birdwatchers who come from around the 1-8 globe every year, and in the center of this area is Farm-to-Market 1-9 Road 1015, running from Highway 186 to the Rio Grande River; and 1-10 WHEREAS, The north-south stretch of this road is between the 1-11 lagoons, coastal prairies, and salt flats of Laguna Atascosa 1-12 National Wildlife Refuge, Boca Chica State Park, and Sabal Palm 1-13 Grove Sanctuary and the drier riverine scrub and thickets of the 1-14 Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge and Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley 1-15 State Park; and 1-16 WHEREAS, FM 1015 links some of the most varied landscapes and 1-17 bird-rich areas in Texas, and the road culminates at the Rio Grande 1-18 River at the Progreso International Bridge; construction of a new 1-19 bridge is slated to begin next year, and the project will 1-20 revitalize an important crossing, with wide sidewalks and lighting 1-21 for pedestrians, separate lanes for buses, trucks, and cars, and a 1-22 photo island in the center of the bridge; and 1-23 WHEREAS, FM 1015 is a vital thoroughfare through the very 1-24 heart of America's birding capital, a road whose importance to the 2-1 economy and ecology of Texas cannot be overlooked; now, therefore, 2-2 be it 2-3 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-4 Legislature hereby recognize FM 1015 as an "International Birding 2-5 Corridor" and request the Texas Department of Transportation to 2-6 design, construct, and erect markers recognizing the road as the 2-7 birding corridor at each end of the corridor and at appropriate 2-8 intermediate sites along the corridor. Wise _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 295 was adopted by the House on May 29, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House