1-1                                     1
 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 287
 1-3           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pride in
 1-4     joining the 280,260 citizens of Corpus Christi in proclaiming
 1-5     Wednesday, February 24, 1999, as Corpus Christi Day at the Capitol;
 1-6     and
 1-7           WHEREAS, In 1519 the Spanish Government commissioned
 1-8     Alonzo Alvarez de Pineda (1494-1519) for exploration; he was the
 1-9     first European to map and sail the northern coast of the Gulf of
1-10     Mexico from Western Florida to present-day Vera Cruz, Mexico; his
1-11     expedition encouraged further exploration along the Gulf Coast that
1-12     led to colonization by Spaniards and other Europeans; and
1-13           WHEREAS, Nestled in the heart of the Texas coastal bend arc,
1-14     Corpus Christi was first established as a trading post in 1839
1-15     and began to grow into a recognized settlement about 1845; in the
1-16     late 1930s, the seawall was built as part of a major landfill that
1-17     created Shoreline Boulevard and the "T" head docks for pleasure
1-18     boats; and
1-19           WHEREAS, A city of charm in which a touch of the past is
1-20     nicely blended with modern amenities and opportunities, and which
1-21     exemplifies that special allure of the Texas Coast, Corpus Christi
1-22     is a source of much pride to Texans across the state; and
1-23           WHEREAS, The Padre Island National Seashore, with 68 miles
1-24     of white-sand shoreline, is the longest stretch of primitive,
 2-1     undeveloped ocean beach in the country; hiking, camping, bird
 2-2     watching, boating, water-skiing, and sail surfing are among the
 2-3     activities enjoyed here; and
 2-4           WHEREAS, Mustang Island State Park is located just north of
 2-5     Padre Island, and this 3,700-acre park is one of Texas' most
 2-6     popular recreational sites; and
 2-7           WHEREAS, The USS Lexington, a World War II aircraft
 2-8     carrier, that haunted the waters of the South Pacific and became
 2-9     known as the "Blue Ghost," is now at home in the Corpus Christi
2-10     Bay, where tourists year-round can visit live re-enactments of
2-11     the past; and
2-12           WHEREAS, The life-size replica ships of Christopher Columbus,
2-13     the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria, permit you to discover what it
2-14     was like to be a 15th century sailor and are adjacent to the
2-15     Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History; and
2-16           WHEREAS, The Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History
2-17     allows visitors to experience science and natural history through
2-18     hands-on exhibits and dramatic re-creations; features include a 1554
2-19     Spanish shipwreck, native Indian exhibits, and the Smithsonian's
2-20     Seeds of Change; and
2-21           WHEREAS, Corpus Christi is the home to the Texas State
2-22     Aquarium with over 3,000 animals representing 250 different species
2-23     and plays an important role in a better future through education
2-24     and conservation programs; and
2-25           WHEREAS, Corpus Christi supports both its veterans and active
2-26     duty military personnel and is proud of its affiliations with the
 3-1     Ingleside Naval Base to its north and the Kingsville Naval Air
 3-2     Station to the south as well as the Corpus Christi United States
 3-3     Naval Air Training Command and the Corpus Christi Army Depot and
 3-4     recognizes the economic impact of these facilities to the region;
 3-5     and
 3-6           WHEREAS, Corpus Christi supports its institutions of
 3-7     higher education, including Del Mar Community College and
 3-8     Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi, who are preparing future
 3-9     leaders of the community and the state; and
3-10           WHEREAS, The Corpus Christi State School--Mental Health and
3-11     Mental Retardation continues to support the community with adult
3-12     life skill training and enriching volunteer initiatives; and
3-13           WHEREAS, The Port of Corpus Christi is the deepest on the
3-14     Gulf of Mexico and the fourth busiest in the nation, with ships
3-15     from throughout the world carrying cargoes of oil and refined
3-16     products; the harbor entrance is spanned by an impressive bridge
3-17     that has a pedestrian walkway with spectacular views of the harbor
3-18     and the city; now, therefore, be it
3-19           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the
3-20     citizens of the City of Corpus Christi as an expression of regard
3-21     from the Texas Senate; and, be it further
3-22           RESOLVED, That the following individuals receive a copy
3-23     of the Resolution:  The Honorable Loyd Neal, Mayor of the
3-24     City of Corpus Christi; Laurie Cook, Chairwoman of the Greater
3-25     Corpus Christi Business Alliance; Lamont Taylor, President of
3-26     the Black Chamber of Commerce; and Robert Riviera, Chairman of
 4-1     the Corpus Christi Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
 4-2                                                    Truan
 4-3           Armbrister           Gallegos            Nixon
 4-4           Barrientos           Harris              Ogden
 4-5           Bernsen              Haywood             Ratliff
 4-6           Bivins               Jackson             Shapiro
 4-7           Brown                Lindsay             Shapleigh
 4-8           Cain                 Lucio               Sibley
 4-9           Carona               Luna                Wentworth
4-10           Duncan               Madla               West
4-11           Ellis                Moncrief            Whitmire
4-12           Fraser               Nelson              Zaffirini
4-13                       Perry, President of the Senate
4-14                                  ______________________________________
4-15                                          President of the Senate
4-16                                       I hereby certify that the above
4-17                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
4-18                                  on February 24, 1999.
4-19                                  ______________________________________
4-20                                          Secretary of the Senate
4-21                                  ______________________________________
4-22                                            Dean of the Senate