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